Donald Ray Dorsett, 85, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2022.  He was born December 2, 1936 to Katherine Elizabeth Dawson Dorsett and Hulen Tim Dorsett, in Austin, Texas.  Don had an older brother and a younger brother.  Don’s mother died when he was thirteen.  His father remarried, and Don became second out of eleven children.  Needless to say, beds and money were in short supply.  World War II began when he was five. 

One of Don’s favorite memories was taking a bus to the Sixth Street district with money for haircuts. The barber college would cut their hair for free, so he and his brothers would spend the money seeing the Lone Ranger and other cowboy movies at the Ritz Theater. One of their first jobs was selling pop at the University of Texas football games.

Don skipped a grade and graduated from Round Rock High School in 1954 at age seventeen, after which he immediately joined the US Air Force, where he served four years, all in Texas.

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Don enrolled in college on the GI bill, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southwest Texas.  He also did post graduate work at UT and the University of Houston.

Don always had great respect for educators and the positive impact they had on his life.  That is why he became one: first a teacher, then a principle, then Director of Legal Services for Texas State Teachers Association in Austin for twenty years before retiring, and then school superintendent of the Three Way ISD until his second retirement.  His sincere desire was to help young people cope with the many issues they face. 

Don’s belief in Jesus Christ was a vital part of his life, and the grace of God was the source of his existence.  Don was very proud of his three daughters, and all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. School was very important to Don, and he wanted very much for his great grandchildren to finish college and complete a course of study that would enhance their opportunity to make a living.  

Don is survived by wife, Frankie Chaloupka Dorsett, of Georgetown, whom he married in 1999, daughters, Mary Ledbetter and husband George of Driftwood, Margaret Dorsett of Conroe, Marisa Chambers and husband Kent of Willis, as well as 8 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by parents, Hulen Tim Dorsett and Kathrine Dorsett, brothers, Tim Dorsett and David Dorsett, great-grandson, Luke Elias Ledbetter, aunts, uncles and extended family.

The family has entrusted Driftwood Cemetery with the arrangements. A grave-side service is scheduled for June, 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the Ledbetters’ Home. Phillip Stephens will officiate the ceremony.