Donald Ray Schroeder

Donald Ray Schroeder, 63, met our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 with
his family at his side.

Donald was born on November 3, 1957 in Brenham, Texas to LeRoy and Gladys (Quebe)
Schroeder. He was baptized at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Gay Hill on December 8, 1957
and confirmed on May 21, 1972. Donald attended Prairie Hill School until the second grade
where he then started attending Brenham schools and graduated from Brenham High School in
1976. Donald was the eldest of four, Russell Schroeder, Janice Grunder, and Brenda Gaskamp.
The siblings were a tight-knit bunch, not only in age and spent most of their time outdoors.
Donald was a part of the Gay Hill 4-H club where he showed livestock and participated in many
4-H activities. He worked at Grade A Meat Market until 1977 when he then began working with
his dad at LeRoy Schroeder Contractor. In 1997, when his dad retired, he and his brother,
Russell, began operating the family business. Donald loved working at the rock yard and
helping continue the legacy his father began. The business and all its employees have become
family over the years. LeRoy Schroeder Contractor has served the Washington and
surrounding counties for over 60 years.

There are no words to describe how amazing and caring Donald really was. Anyone who knew
him had a funny story or heartwarming anecdote to tell about the beloved father and caring
husband. A true country boy at heart, he loved fishing but mostly his passion was hunting.
Donald loved hunting so much, when he wasn’t actually hunting, he was either planning a
hunting trip or watching hunting on tv. Donald regularly went on yearly out of state hunting trips with his brother and friends. During hunting season you could find him, Russell, and his girls tucked away at their deer lease in Fredericksburg. Donald shot his first deer in 1968 - a momentous moment the avid hunter shared with his father and brother.

Although Donald had a passion for hunting his true loves were Amanda, Allye, and Avery. And
we absolutely can’t forget his pride and joys, his dogs, Pippi and Cooper.
Donald and Amanda’s paths intertwined in the fall of 1992. The lovebirds ran into each other a few times over the course of the next couple of months. It wasn’t until one Halloween night that sparks really flew. Although Donald had already planned a hunting trip, he knew when he
returned he wanted to date Amanda. Donald married the love of his life, Amanda, on March
26,1994 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Gay Hill. They cherished one another and were
excited to start their family. The couple welcomed their first girl, Allye Kate on February 20, 1996. Allye embodied everything Amanda and Donald had not prepared for, a strong-willed,
tomboy, who made her daddy proud. Shortly after the couple welcomed their second girl,
Avery Elaine on February 4, 1999. Avery brought with her a calm, creative, and adventurous
personality to the Schroeder family. Donald, Amanda, Allye, and Avery did most things as a
family. From watching Allye at cheer competitions to traveling across the country for Avery’s
volleyball tournaments. The family enjoyed taking trips and being together. Especially their
most recent family trip to Iceland - where Donald lived out his mountain man dreams.

Donald’s heart was as big as his smile. He appreciated a good routine and the word consistent
really summed him up. Donald not only served his community with his local family business,
but also was a member of the Cedar Hill Shooting Club, served four years on the church
council, an avid patron of the once known Kelm’s Store, and was a volunteer firefighter. Donald joined the Gay Hill Volunteer Fire Department in 1977 and was elected chief in 1985, reigning for 36 years. When Donald wasn’t supporting his community he could be found having a drink with best friend, and wife Amanda at their favorite local spot. Donald’s ultimate place to be was curled up with girls at home with Pippi or Cooper on his lap or perched on his shoulder.

Donald will hold a special place in all of our hearts, as he is fondly named “Charming” by his wife Amanda.

Donald leaves behind his wife of 27 years, Amanda (Oldham) Schroeder, his daughters, Allye
Kate Schroeder & William Grabarschick and Avery Elaine Schroeder. Father-in-law & mother-inlaw Ronnie & Sallye Oldham. Brother, Russell Schroeder, sisters, Janice & Mike Grunder, and
Brenda & Greg Gaskamp. Sister-in-law DeeAnna & Chris Marek and brother-in-law David &
Laurie Knape. Nieces and Nephews, Ryan Gaskamp, Bailey Grunder, Jay & Mandy Davis,
Raelyn & Harrison Mock, David Knape, Carson Marek, Elliot Marek, and Griffin Marek.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, LeRoy & Gladys Schroeder, brother-in-law, Ryan
Oldham and nephew, Grant Grunder.

The visitation will be at Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St. Brenham, TX 77833, on
Tuesday, September 28, 2021 from 8:00 am - 7:00 pm with family present from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 3:00 pm at St. Peter’s
Lutheran Church of Gay Hill, 8201 Old Gay Hill Rd., Brenham, TX 77833, with Pastor Skip
Stutts officiating.

Celebration of life to follow at the Gay Hill Fire Department, 7500 Old Gay Hill Rd., Brenham, TX 77833.

Memorial donations to Gay Hill Fire Department or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Gay Hill.