Don Chism

Don Chism Husband. Father. Grandfather. Toy maker. Woodworker. And of course, Santa Claus. In his 84 years, Don Chism played all these roles and more.

The seventh child of Arthur Herbert Chism and Jewel Elizabeth Horner, Don was the only child born within a hospital. He almost died before his mother realized she was producing no milk for him. He lived only by guzzling goat’s milk the first few months of his life. 

The end of the Great Depression meant hard times for the Chism family. They owed back taxes on their homestead, and his schizophrenic father entered the VA hospital shortly after his birth, coming home only intermittently. His two older brothers left early in his life to fight in the European theater of World War II. Don idolized his  oldest sibling, Levi Herbert, who returned home after suffering a war injury. Sadly, Don was a witness to a terrible accident involving L. H. while he dismantled an old cabin on the family farm. He was later present when Eunice, his brother’s young bride, arrived to break the news that L.H. had died at the hospital.

For most of his school years, Don attended a little country school in Zephyr, Texas. But his ardent desire to play football for Brownwood High convinced his mother to move the two of them into town. Following graduation, he immediately entered the U.S. Navy, receiving his basic training in Chicago before being assigned to an experimental destroyer. While on board, he served as a deckhand, a cook’s assistant, and a yeoman in the captain’s office.

Returning home to Brownwood, Don soon married Jerrie June Bilbry. Over the next fifteen years, Don worked at jobs ranging from printing the Freeport newspaper to assembling autos at General Motors to working for a pawn shop in Brownwood. The couple welcomed three children to their home – Gregory Don, Delores Michelle, and Jennifer Renee – youngsters who brought indescribable joy to his heart. Around 1970 he and Jerrie joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after being introduced to the church by his cousin, Bryan Galloway.

The baggage of childhood trauma wore at Jerrie’s emotional well-being, and their marriage ended after thirteen years. Packing up the children, Jerrie moved to Washington State where an older brother lived. Don would later say that was the worst day of his life. For the next few years, Don lived in a shed on his brother’s farm while he paid off his debts. Once free of his liabilities, Don left Brownwood, praying he would be led in the right direction. He eventually took a job as a roving manager for a chain of roadside restaurants. Although then inactive in the Church, years later he would receive a strong spiritual prompting to return to Texas and to full church activity.

Once in Dallas, Don quickly found employment in a printing facility and an apartment in Oak Cliff. Summoning up his courage, he at last ventured to the nearby chapel where members enveloped him with love. He became active with the singles group. He was singing in the stake choir when he spotted a young redhead with two young children in tow. He assumed she was married and was surprised when she appeared at a singles fireside. The two finally connected, fell in love, and married in December of 1978. He also raised Linda’s children, James and Cheri, quickly becoming their dad. 

The family moved to Lubbock in 1980 where they purchased two acres of land along with a ready-built house from his father-in-law. Don worked tirelessly in making their home and property a place of pride. He took the lead in raising chickens, pigs, and cows, all of which fed his family. He worked a variety of jobs over the years, but his favorite was playing Jolly Old St. Nick each December at homes, country clubs, private parties, a hospital, and even a shelter for battered women. Wherever he appeared, he brought joy to those in attendance.

During their years in Lubbock, Don served in church callings from nursery leader to high priests group leader. He supported his two children on church missions, was a faithful home teacher to families entrusted to him, and supported his wife, Linda, in her desire for higher education. When she eventually graduated from Texas Tech, the couple moved to Plano, Texas where he continued to work as a custodian in different locations. He retired from full-time employment at 64 and kept busy in his garage for many years building puzzles, toys, and larger pieces of furniture. He became known as the go-to person for the best in pinewood derby cars.

In 2017 Don was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. But throughout his long battle with that illness, he retained his sweet disposition and his love for our Savior. Don Chism completed his earthly mission on  April 17, 2024. No doubt the Savior met him with outstretched arms, and scores of loved ones welcomed him to the other side.

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