Gone to relax on the back porch of the big mansion.

Louis Donald Driskell was born in the Holly Community just east of Lovelady, Texas on Saturday, October 17, 1931 to parents, Annie Bagwell Driskell (1913-1992) and Alto Williams Driskell (1907-1997). While recovering from surgery at the East Texas Medical Center in Crockett, Texas, he passed away in the early morning of Saturday, February 2, 2002.

Fort Hood, November 1950, Group Photo

Louis began his service to his country in the U.S. Army in August 1950, and was stationed in Vilseck, Germany during the Korean War. In 1953, he married Jill Nielsen, in Copenhagen, Denmark. They were the parents of two sons, Steven Louis Driskell and Timmy Donald Driskell (1956-1988).

After serving in the Army, Louis attended Sam Houston State University and was a member of the Texas National Guard. Having moved to Houston in 1956, he was employed by Wilson Industries for several years. In 1967, Louis took his family abroad for two years, to live in Great Yarmouth, England, where he worked for Zapata Oil. Upon returning to the United States, in 1969, he resumed his position with Wilson Industries.

In 1971, Louis married Pat Archibald Thomason in Livingston, Texas. To this union, Staci Leah Driskell was born. Louis, Pat, Staci and sons Wade and Wes Thomason then moved to Singapore to work for Reading and Bates. They later moved to Brunei and lived there until 1978.

Upon returning to the United States, Louis built a lovely home for his family in the Zion Hill Community, just west of Friday in Trinity County, Texas. At home there for more than twenty years, Louis enjoyed the tranquil lakeside view from the back porch and the joys of children and grandchildren. His consulting work took him to Africa and Argentina, but the peace of home was always of paramount importance to him.

While traveling, he delighted in finding treasures to decorate the home. He enjoyed clocks, cannons, history, model cars and unusual artifacts. Their home is such an inviting and fascinating place to visit and to enjoy the comforts of a loving environment. It seemed to always be arrayed with Louis's barbeque and Pat's pralines! Such a home, enveloped all who visited there with love and acceptance.

It is my opinion that the East Texas Medical Center used poor judgement to determine if Louis Driskell was capable of such an operation. The result was a severe stroke which left him with no ability to speak or move the limbs on the right side of the body ..... 17 days later he passed away.

Steven L. Driskell

FAMILY

Louis Donald Driskell is survived by his wife, Patricia Driskell of Zion Hill, his son, Steven Driskell of Houston, his daughter, Staci and husband John McCarty of Lufkin, his stepson, Wes Thomason and wife, Dru of Lufkin, and stepson, Wade Thomason and wife, Melissa of Trinity.

Louis was the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren: Jennifer, Erica and Alyssa; Adam, Rebekah, Marcy and Ty; Caleb, Kaci and Kelci.

Funeral services were conducted on Monday, February 4, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. at Waller-Thornton Funeral Home in Groveton, with the Reverend Louis Jones of Groveton officiating. Eulogy was prepared by Judy Driskell and presented by John Ethridge. Interment was at Zion Hill Cemetery in Trinity County, Texas.

A special thanks goes to the fine men of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6899, Trinity, Texas who presented the U.S. Flag and much appreciation to the members of Zion Hill Baptist Church for providing lunch.

EDUCATION

Trinity High School
Sam Houston State University

MILITARY

United States Army
1950-1954

Good Conduct - Army of Occupation - National Defense

2nd Armored Division
66th Medium Tank Battalion
Fort Hood, Texas
1950