Rev. Donald Wirsdorfer Jr.
Former Albany resident and pastor Donald Earl Wirsdorfer Jr. passed away Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, at the age of 83.
The celebration of life service will be Saturday, Nov. 3, at 11:00 a.m. at Ridglea Christian Church, 6720 Elizabeth Lane, Fort Worth, Texas. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Alzheimers Association or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Don was born June 5, 1935, to Donald Earl Wirsdorfer Sr and A. Irene Wirsdorfer in Chehalis, Washington. He graduated from Chehalis High School, Chehalis, Washington. He then attended Northwest Christian College in Eugene, Oregon, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1957.
He and his family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended Texas Christian University. Don graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1961. He continued at Brite Divinity School at TCU, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1964.
Don was an ordained minister for the Disciples of Christ Church. He served for over 50 years in the ministry, beginning with First Christian Church, Las Animas, Colorado. He then served churches in Texas, which include First Christian Church, Spearman; First Christian Church, Albany; First Christian Church, Lockhart; and First Christian Church, Burleson.
Even after retirement, he continued to serve as an interim pastor at Disciples of Christ churches in Quanah, Kilgore, Mineral Wells, and Bethany Christian Church in White Settlement.
Don was an avid runner who ran numerous marathons for the Leukemia Society. He also loved swimming. Don coached and taught swimming lessons at Las Animas, Colorado, and later in Spearman, Albany, and Burleson, Texas. Even in his off time, he enjoyed ministering and helping others. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Faye Arleen Wirsdorfer; son, Donald Earl Wirsdorfer III and wife, Debbie; daughter, Donna Shoop and husband, Steve; son, Nicholas Wirsdorfer and wife, Shawn; daughter, Jane English and husband, Kenny; brother, George Wirsdorfer and wife, Sydney; grandchildren, Bryan, Samantha, Joshua, Victoria, Toni, Nathan and Molly; great-grandchildren, Trevon, Aewa, Aaiden, Aaniyah, Makayla and Zaelia; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
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