Donald L. Adair

Donald Link Adair, 85, of Merkel, Texas, passed away on October 31, 2025. He was born to Mary Jane and Link Adair in Terra Bella, California on November 13, 1939. His family moved back to Sylvester, Texas when he was ten years old. He attended Noodle school where he met his future wife, Dolores Hunter. Later he attended McCauley High School where he played sports.  Don started working with his dad for the State of Texas in 1959 setting grade for most of the interstate highways we drive on today. He worked for Trainer Caterpillar as a mechanic and welder and later began working for Automation as a machinist. The company eventually became known as Lockheed Martin.

 

Don was a member of the Merkel Church of Christ and a dedicated family man and friend.  He was an excellent finish carpenter, welder, plumber, fabricator, machinist, supervisor, botanist, Dad, PaPaw and foster parent.  He loved taking care of his yard, flowers, plants, and animals. He was especially proud of a water pipe he had grown into his pecan tree.  He loved telling people he was watering with pecan juice.

 

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Link and Mary Jane Adair, his wife Dolores of 55 years, his infant sister, Arie Jane (10 days old), and younger brother Harice Winn Adair. He is survived by his sister Zoie Russell and husband Jerry of Merkel, a daughter Sheila Adair Eaton and husband Kevin of Aledo, and son Scott Adair and wife Cheri of Merkel, and loving foster daughter Holly Mowat of Oklahoma. Don had 8 grandchildren, Blake Steele of Weatherford, Natalie Church and husband Cody of Weatherford, Colton Adair and wife Brittany of Abilene, Corde Adair and wife Celeigh of Ovalo, Katie Eaton of Seattle, Korbin Eaton of Seattle, Kennedy Hamilton and husband Cody of Seattle, and Kamryn Eaton of Seattle.  PaPaw also left behind 10 great-grandchildren.

 

Pallbearers will be Colton Adair, Corde Adair, Blake Steele, Cody Church, Tate Hunter, and Rodney Russell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jerry Russell, Dale Davis, and Jimmy Hunter.

Services will be held Tuesday, November 4th at Merkel Church of Christ. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m.  Graveside services will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. 

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the local Meals on Wheels.

 

The Family of Don wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Merkel Church of Christ, Hendrick Hospice, and the many caregivers who with love and kindness have faithfully taken care of him these past few months.