Don followed his older brothers to his beloved Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Corp of Cadets, graduating in 1957 (Class of `56) with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering.

He began dating Jo Carolyn Corman, of Lissie, in 1954, and after three years was able to convince her to marry on October 26, 1957, after Don’s graduation from Texas A&M. They then moved to Silsbee where Don began work for Sinclair Oil. After a one-year deferral, Don was called to the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant where they moved to Fort Hamilton AFB in Martin County, California. This was followed by a move to ENT Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado until his three-year assignment was completed.

Don then returned to Sinclair Oil in Silsbee. His career as a petroleum engineer led him to an international assignment where he lived in Paris, France with Jo but rotated to and from the Sahara Desert of Algeria on

■ KEPRTA, 7 a large-scale development. After the birth of their daughter, Donna, they repatriated back to the US and began a new assignment in Corpus Christi followed by a role in Beaumont, where their daughter Laura was born. They then moved to Houston in 1969 where the family lived for 20 years. During Don’s tenure, Sinclair merged with Atlantic- Richfield and formed ARCO. Don’s career steadily climbed through various leadership posts which culminated in Houston as the Production Engineering Manager for ARCO Oil and Gas. Don then accepted an assignment in Plano.

This new role in Plano, as the Director of Engineering for Corrosion Prevention & Materials Construction for ARCO’s Global Research Center, was his final position before ultimately retiring following BP’s purchase of ARCO. Don was credited with over 40 years of service. He also sat on several SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers) Global Committees, which allowed for exciting travels for him and Jo late in his career. During his tenure, Don was recognized for championing young women engineers and leaders.

Don loved his time as a softball coach for Laura, and he enjoyed fishing with his co-coach and dear friend Jim McPhail. We are certain those two are reminiscing in heaven about their good times together.

Don was also an avid golfer, with two holes-in-one and shooting his age on many occasions. His time with the Senior Golf Group in Plano provided countless memories.

Don, with his wife Jo, recently celebrated 67 years of marriage. Combined they are very generous donors to Texas A&M. They are recognized as Lifetime Donors that have achieved the status of having their name engraved on the wall of the A&M Foundation. This includes being Endowed Academic Scholarship Donors, Chancellors Council Members, Top 100 donors to the 12th Man Foundation including Athletics Champions Council Membership, donors to the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library, the A&M Cushing Library, and several other A&M building projects.

His love for Texas A&M was highlighted by being season ticket holders to several A&M sports. He and Jo would frequently travel to away football games because they loved to visit other’s campuses around the USA. His two daughters and son-in-law attended Texas A&M. His favorite saying was that the girls could attend any school they wanted, but the tuition check would be mailed to A&M.

In addition, Don and Jo’s gifts to Custer Road Methodist Church in Plano were significant as they were major donors on several construction projects at the church.

Upon the news of the arrival of his first grandchild, Don was thrilled to choose the name of “Boss” since he was certain his grandchildren, Courtnay and Cameron, were going to boss him around. Over the next 30 years, he has enjoyed visiting with his grandchildren, travelling with them to faraway lands, attending many of their sporting contests, teaching them how to make refrigerated pickles, watching them through their college years and welcoming a new Grand-Daughter-in-Law, Simi.

Don was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in July of 2023. However, this did not diminish his desire for life. At a large celebration for his 89th birthday in October of 2023, he firmly stated his goal to see his 90th birthday and would fight the cancer battle. He did fight that battle with honor as he rang the bell following his treatments and was able to proudly celebrate his 90th. He was able to have a cherished 2024 Thanksgiving and Christmas visit with his family and will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents Buran I. Keprta and Marie Faltisek Keprta; brothers Buran (Tex) Keprta, wife Gloria, Edward Keprta, sister Rosalie Keprta Prebys, husband John and brother Theodore (Ted) Keprta, wife Eleanor; brothers-in-law Victor Ray Corman, Jr. and Wayne Corman; nephew Patrick Prebys.

He is survived by his loving wife Jo, his daughters Donna Keprta McClure, husband James and Laura Keprta; grandchildren, Courtnay Mc-Clure and Cameron McClure, wife Simi Prasad; niece Carole Shelby (Dave), nephews Mike Prebys (Laverne), Raymond Keprta (Rhoda), Carl Keprta and Matthew Keprta; sisterin- law Cherry Corman and nieces Lisa Weinheimer (Ed), and Suzanne Shelby (John); sister-in-law Brenda Corman and nephews Troy Corman, Vance Corman (April), and niece Kimberly Etheridge (Arthur); and several great nephews and nieces.

Visitation and funeral services were Tuesday, March 4, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. and services at 10 a.m. at the Lissie United Methodist Church in Lissie with Stan Warfield officiating. The burial followed at the Lakeside Cemetery in Eagle Lake. Lunch was served at Lissie United Methodist Church after burial. Services were broadcasted online at https:// www.youtube. com/@ LissieUnitedMethodistchurchLiv Pallbearers were Cameron McClure, Mike Prebys, Dave Shelby, Carl Keprta, Troy Corman, Vance Corman, Arthur Etheridge, and Greg McClure. Honorary pallbearers were James McClure, Joe Hlavinka, Ron and Judy Girotto, Lee Bone and Joe Marek.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at St. Joseph’s Hospital, The Cancer Clinic, Five Points Rehabilitations Center, Parc at Traditions Assisted Living Care, and Traditions Home Health and Hospice Care.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation, P.O. Box 62066, Durham, NC 27715 (https://glioblastomafoundation. org/get-involved/donate), the Texas A&M Foundation in memory of Donald F. Keprta `56, 401 George Bush Dr., College Station, 77840 (https:// www.txamfoundation.com/ give.aspx), or the charity of your choice.

Services under the direction of Henneke Funeral Home, 1515 Montezuma St., Columbus, 78934. (979)7322143.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.

com.