Donald Edward Backer
August 9, 1936 – January 19, 2022
Donald Edward Backer, 85, of Bandera, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on January 19, 2022, and now resides with God in Heaven. Visitation will be held at Holt & Holt Funeral Home in Boerne on Friday, January 28, from 5 to 7 p.m., with a graveside service to follow on Saturday, January 29, at 11 a.m. at Sisterdale Cemetery. A gathering will be held afterward at the Sisterdale Saloon for anyone who would like to come.
Don was born on August 9,1936, to Donald Raymond Backer and Polly Claypool Backer in Waverly, New York. He was affectionately called Papa by his family as he was one of the most loving, gentle and generous of men. He loved his family deeply, and greatly missed his wife, Diane, when she went to heaven in 2017.
One of his favorite things to do was to joke with his grandchildren and rumble on the floor with them. Don was naturally smart and talented. He attended Cornell University in the College of Agriculture and later completed his degree in liberal arts at The University of Maryland. He completed college while raising his family and during his military career.
He had a myriad of experiences in life, such as growing up in a small town, living on a farm, owning businesses and traveling extensively which shaped and molded his strong character and intelligence. He quietly helped many people along the way.
Don joined the Air Force in 1956 and rose to the rank of major, retiring after 20 years of service. He married Diana Nagel in August of 1957.
While in the military he was stationed in Texas, New York, Germany and Vietnam. He was awarded Distinguished Graduate of Officer Candidate School and was selected as Outstanding Junior Officer in Germany. While flying in Europe, he received the Air Medal Six Leaf Cluster, and while deployed in Vietnam he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal.
After military retirement, Don became a banker, taught banking and finance courses at San Antonio College for many years and worked for the FDIC. When Don and Diane lived in Boerne, he was heavily involved in The Boerne Lions Club and was a past district governor of the Lions Club, managing the South Texas region.
Don is survived by his daughter, Denise Barlow, and her husband, Stephen Barlow, of Bandera; his son, Donald Backer, and his wife, Carole Backer of The Woodlands, Texas; and his son, Doug Backer, and his wife, Harla Backer, also of Bandera.
Don is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Jonathon Barlow (wife Megan Barlow), Marie Voigt (husband Michael Voigt), Matthew Barlow, Sarah Backer, Kaitlyn Backer, Lauren Backer, Ashleigh Thompson (husband Martin Thompson), Brittany Backer, Courtney Backer (and Isaac Rodriguez) and Dallas Backer.
Don was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren, Teagan Barlow, Evie Barlow, Eliana Voigt, George Thompson, Tilden Thompson, Abigail Gonzales, Magnolia Douglass-Backer and Baylor Rodriguez.
He has one surviving brother, Peter Backer, and his wife, Cindy Backer, of Pine City, New York, and one surviving brother-in-law, Ed Carpenter, of Sayre, Pennsylvania.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Diana Backer; his parents, Raymond and Polly Backer; and his sisters, Debbie Backer and Linda Carpenter.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the caregivers who cared for Papa over the past several years: Harla Backer, Rebecca Northcutt of Kerrville, Texas, the staff at the Kerrville VA Medical Center, Debbie, Darlene and Margaret, Rachel from Tri County and Jessica Meyners. Thank you all for your loving care.
In lieu of floral remembrances, the family suggests that donations can be made to the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Associationor your local Lions Clubto honor Don’s memory.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of the staff of Holt & Holt Funeral Home of Boerne. To share words of comfort with the family, please visit www.holtfh.com.
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