Donald Lee Potter, Sr.
Donald Lee Potter, Sr., 80, of Beaumont, died Friday, December 20, 2024. He was born on May 4, 1944, to Mary Ida Musselwhite Potter and James Cornelius Potter, Sr., in Beaumont, and was a veteran of the United States Navy.
Don and Betty were married in 1965. They moved to South Carolina where Don was stationed. In 1966, Don and Betty moved back to Beaumont. Don began work at Goodyear Chemical Company. He worked 17 years for the company. His dream was to have his own business. He learned a lot about air conditioning maintenance during his time at Goodyear. After a lot of thought and prayers, he decided to start his own company, American Air Systems, Inc. He attended LIT studying HVAC, and was on the honor list after graduating. Don has helped many of his employees learn the trade and move on to establish their own businesses. He sent his employees to school and cared about their well-being.
He loved his family. He would beam when his grandchildren entered the room. Don and Betty loved to travel and especially loved traveling with his brothers and sisters. They loved to laugh and have a good time where ever they went.
Don loved his friends too. He loved the South Park Greenies’ Reunions and traveling with his South Park buddies to various places.
In 2020, he started his battle with his sickness. Don was Mr. Positivity during his lengthy battle. He never complained and tried so hard to beat the disease. He was the favorite at the hospitals with his uplifting words and lengthy discussions with the doctors and nurses telling them “how to do this” and “do that” – don’t get him started on generators or zone systems.
God finally decided it was time for Don to join Him, so he took him on December 20th.
Don will be missed by everyone. Have fun with your brothers, Don. They have been waiting for you. Please, guys, behave.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Potter; children, Donald Lee Potter, Jr. and his wife, Terri Lynne, of Beaumont and Jennifer Christine Klosterboer and her husband, Travis, of Humble; grandchildren, Lindsay Campbell and her husband, Shae, Sadie St. John, Ethan Klosterboer, Bryce Klosterboer, Heidi Klosterboer, Megan Kingrey, and Adam Shields and his wife, Danielle; great-grandson, Myles Kingrey; great-granddaughter, Stassi Shields; sisters, JoAnn Alexander, Margaret Meaux, and Dottie Braren; and sister-in-law, Lula Potter.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Earl Potter and his wife, Laverne; brother, Haden Potter and his wife, Jean; sister, Lela Williams and her husband, Bobby; brothers-in-law, Bob Alexander and Pierre Meaux; sister, Peggy Potter; brother-in-law, Oluf Braren; and brother, James Potter, Jr.
Memorial contributions may be made to Forest Park Methodist Church, 225 South Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707 or MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486.
A gathering of Mr. Potter’s family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with his memorial service at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 27, 2024, at Forest Park United Methodist Church, 225 South Major Drive, Beaumont, with a reception to follow. His cremation arrangements were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium under the direction of Broussard’s 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
Gathering of Family and Friends
Forest Park Methodist Church
- 225, S Major Dr, Beaumont, TX, 77707,
- December 27, 2024
- 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Memorial Service
Forest Park Methodist Church
- 225, S Major Dr, Beaumont, TX, 77707,
- December 27, 2024
- 11:00 am
Reception to Follow
Forest Park Methodist Church
- 225, S Major Dr, Beaumont, TX, 77707,
- December 27, 2024
Donny loved his family and friends. He was a fine businessman. So sorry for this earthly loss.
Thank you so much.
Betty we are so sorry to hear about Donnie. Our prayers are with you and your family. He will be missed. Gloria and Skip Brockhoeft
Thank you so much.
Mr. Potter, I am sorry for the loss of your father. Your father and mine worked together at Goodyear, and I distinctly remember as a kid when your Dad came to our house to fix our refrigerator on the side. I also remember going to the beach with your Dad and my Dad with a large 200 foot seine that Goodyear owned. They would let employees use it. I was young but we caught a lot of fish. It may have been before your time, I’m not sure. But I definitely knew your Dad when I was a kid. I remember meeting you years ago when your Dad still ran the business. We own an IT company and I remember meeting you AND your Dad back in the day when we did a network assessment on your company. At any rate, I have a few fond memories of your Dad, my Dad, all my brothers, and another Goodyear employee going to the beach with that huge seine that Goodyear owned way back in the day. My Dad was always fond of yours, and always talked kindly about him! Again, I am sorry for your loss. He was a good man and always took the time with me when I was very young to talk with me.
Awwww, thank you so much.
Awwww, thank you so much.
Dear Betty, Lee and Jennifer,
I am so saddened to learn that you have lost Don. I have many fond memories of all of those years when Jennifer and my Wendy were participating in one event after another early in their life long friendship. Martha and I enjoyed many good times together with Don and Betty. Don, with his laid-back and easy going personality and his ever present smile, was always a joy to be with. He’ll be missed by all of us who knew him.
Warmest regards and sincere condolences,
Dan and Jan Hallmark
Betty and Family,
I first knew Don in the second grade at Cheek Elementary. In those days he was known as “Donny” Potter. I have fond memories of those early years and through high school. He was a good friend and I know he will be missed. May God’s Peace this Holy Season bring you and your family comfort.
Loretta Poche Barber
Betty, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the kids in the loss of Donnie. Fighting cancer wears you out. Donnie was such a a good man and did so much for people. Love you, Elaine
Thank you so much.
Betty, thoughts and prayers go out for you and your family, may he rest in peace.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
What a wonderful life Don lived. He lived a life with so much love and laughter. We were the lucky family that lived across the street from Don & Betty. It didn’t take much time at all before they treated us just like their own family. My kids absolutely adored Mammy and Potter and in their eyes there was no place more fun than the Potter’s house. Don will forever have a special place in all of our hearts.
Those were magical days and I will never forget my Breaux family. I love ya’ll.
I am so very saddened to read of Don’s passing. I enjoyed seeing him at our high school class reunions. Planning meetings for the reunions were held in the conference room at Don’s company. What a generous and thoughtful man Don was. Please accept my condolences.
Carol Achenbach Corbin
Betty, our prayers and love for you & Don will never stop. We all know he’s in Heaven. What a TRULY WONDERFUL REASON TO REJOICE and be at peace. Donnie was a TRUELY A GREAT FRIEND TO ALL THAT KNEW & LOVED HIM! RIP MY BUDDY!!!
Betty, Lee and family, I’m so very sorry to hear of Dons passing. I’m sure him and dad will be sharing lots of great stories. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
Betty, my heart is heavy for you and your family, as well as for all of us who feel the loss of Donnie. My prayers ask God for courage and strength to meet the days ahead.
Betty and children, I am sorry to hear about Donnie. You are in my prayers and thoughts. Keep your memories near your heart. Love to all. Gerry
Betty and family so sorry to hear that Donny has passed. I remember Betty you saying he said he has led a good life. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
A man I’ve known for 65 years. Betty and I met the same night and we have all been friends for what seems like forever. He leaves behind a beautiful family to cherish his memory. He will be missed by many.
RIP MY FRIEND. 💔