Donald Ray Still
Donald Ray Still, 93, of Beaumont died Thursday, January 11, 2024. He was born on January 10, 1931, in Galveston to Willie Mary Hoffman and Aldrich Crow Still.
Survivors include his wife of seventy-two years, Mittie Sims Still; children, Russell Still and his wife, Ardeth; Randy Still and his wife, Maridale; and Susan Still Bartz and her husband, Jonathan; grandchildren, Laura Still and her husband, David Rager; Hayley Still; Brandan Still and his wife, Jena; Kristen Davidson and her husband, Drew; Kimberly Hoover and her husband, Zach; and Janna Bartz; and great-grandchildren, Roman Davidson, Joseph Maxwell Still, and Jonathan Matthew Still.
Donald was in preceded in death by his parents and brother, Aldrich Lee Still.
Don was raised in Alta Loma, Texas. He began flying u-control line airplanes as a kid and continued through his youth. It was love at first fly for Don. In his early years, it was a hobby he enjoyed with his dad and brother. He was quickly hooked on building and flying remote-controlled planes. He graduated early from high school and went on to attend Lon Morris Jr. College where he met Mittie Sims. He then attended Baylor University before finally landing at the University of Houston where he graduated with a degree in drama.
Early in the year of 1951, Don opened and operated his very own hobby shop called, Don Still’s Hobby Haven. Later that year, he married Mittie Sims on Christmas Eve. He and Mittie lived in Beaumont, where they raised their 3 children. In 2023, they reached 72 years of marriage. Don retired at the age of 85 and closed his hobby shop of approximately 65 years located in downtown Beaumont.
The model airplane business was not only the base of his career but also his calling in life. Don’s customers knew they could count on him to help them with their planes and that he would provide quality and expert advice. He treated people as more than just a customer, but also a friend. And many friends he made. Friends in the industry near and far talk highly of Don, for he truly left a legacy behind him. Don was an active member of the local Beaumont Radio Control Club. The flying field in Beaumont off of Folsom Drive was even named after him, Don Still’s Flying Field. Over the years he was known for the Stuka, model airplane that he designed. He entered many model airplane contests and won many trophies at the local, national, and international level. In 1960, he took 2 Stukas to the World Championships in Budapest, where he placed second. Technically, he had the highest scoring flight of the championships. Don was one of three men on the First USA World Stunt Team 1960. In 2000, he was awarded Control Line Precision Aerobatics Hall of Fame, presented by PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association). He was recently able to speak about his National and World Championship days and have his experiences recorded in a book on stunt history that was published in 2023.
Aside from traveling to contests, Don loved traveling, especially to the National Parks of America. He enjoyed his family time most of all. He and the family would take trips to the beach, hiking, snow skiing, and the mountains. He and Mittie frequently visited Big Bend National Park. He made many fond memories vacationing with family. If he wasn’t out in nature or flying a plane, then he was attending a band concert, sporting event, or dance recital supporting his grandchildren. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren over the years. Most recently he enjoyed gathering with all of the family and great-grandchildren. The family is forever grateful for Don and he will truly be missed by all that knew him. His influence will remain with us forever and his legacy will live on. There will be a private memorial at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or to The Humane Society – Southeast Texas, 2050 Spindletop Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77705.
Arrangements for Mr. Still were handled through Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.
Hated to see Don shutting down the Happy Hobby Haven, I visited there many times as a youngster. Don always had an answer for the problems I had building model airplanes & boats….I’ll never forget Don & his shop in Beaumont , the good times in my younger days ……
May you fly your planes in Heaven, Rest in Peace My Friend…….
Rip Mr.Still, Thanks for the stories of the RC Hobby. I do have the Big Lanzo bomber You sold Me that was hanging up in Your shop.
Rip…
I used to go into his hobby shop often when I was a kid. He always was such an enjoyable person to be around and I had the opportunity to fly U control planes with him once at a U control fun fly here locally. I was only about 12 years old at the time but watching him fly was an amazing experience. The whole modeling community lost someone special! RIP
Don a passion for control line and so did I.we would talk hours in his shop about flying what was the old stunt pattern versus the new age pattern. I really enjoyed learning from him. When he closed the business I lost track of Don but new he lived traveling and skiing. RIP BUddy and hope you and George are battling out the stunt pattern above!
Don was a great friend, we had a lot in common about the planes we liked the most and how we flew them. Spent 55 years buying from my model avaition items from him. Had many long conversations with Don even around town in various places. Sorry to hear of his passing! Rest in peace my good friend. To be forever remembered.
Wonderful memories of Don Still and his Hobby Shop. One Christmas someone gave me a complete Lionel Train set and I was setting it up to play with it.
George Abood (my Uncle)came in and saw what I was doing, before I knew it, he had picked it all up and carted it all to Don Still’s Hobby Shop Downtown. Some how he traded it all in and we when home with HO gauged train parts. (HO Scale (1:87) is by far the most popular scale in the industry, featuring the widest variety of high quality trains and accessories.) From then on we built the most elaborate train sets you could imagine. Thank you Don and Thank you George for those wonderful memories.
I grew up on Taft and W. Lynwood in Beaumont. I’m 54, I lived there 21 years. Mr and Mrs Still always kept a nice house and had their Jeeps. (They definitely liked their Jeeps). I would love talking to them and Susan. My mom Joyce and Mrs Still loved their plants always.Green thumbs for sure!! and would have nice neighborly chats. May God be with your family. 🙏
To his family, I am very truly for your loss.
As a 13-14 year old, I remember going to his shop (near Shepherd Laundry) and marveling at all the items in the shop that we could buy to enjoy our crafts, making models of all kinds, jewelry, and working on many other hobbies. As I drive down Folsom and pass the flying field I usually think back to those days of happy hobbies.
Don was truly wonderful. I bought (actually my parents and grand parents) from him in the 40’s and 50’s across from the laundry and later on Calder, both sites. I built ships and air craft, later tanks and much later, painted and assembled Civil War figures. He made for a happy childhood. Best wishes and thoughts for the family of a great guy.
Man, what a flood of memories when my friend Rick Hallenbeck let me know Don had passed away. My earliest childhood memories are going to “Don Still’s”. I seriously believe we were there at least two or three time per month if not weekly for years. The knowledge, the skill and the genuine kindness were abundant. I remember when both of his parents worked there in the store. Some of the greatest times of my life include being in his store, being around him at the flying field and flying r/c. My deepest condolences to his family.
Spent countless hours and visits to his shop. Got to know his parents when they were in town helping him at the shop. Remember three locations, the first being across from Shepherds Laundry: then the next on the corner next to his last but smaller shop. I rember coming back over to Beaumont from Houston, to wish him well on retiring from the hobby shop business. He loved the RC planes and the competition of flying them. I enjoyed the plastic models and HO Trains when he sold those, while his parents helped with the shop. A wonderful person and many memories.
A wonderful kind man.. Brought so much to the modeling community and had such an interesting life.. If you ever had the chance to visit he had so many interesting stories both about modeling and life in general.. He is among many friends now…
My father loved going to that shop….was he the owner? If he is that man, I must say thank you for helping my dad with the things he needed to build his plane.
My deepest sympathy to all of Mr. Still’s family and friends. May he rest peacefully . . .
Mr. Still operated the store of every kid’s dream. As a child my mom always shopped downtown. I got treated to Don’s hobby shop. I had very little money to spend in there back then, but none the less he was always so kind and spent time with me showing me around. Godspeed Mr.Don. Heaven awaits you!
I met Don in 1964 at a science fair at Forest Park high school. He drought out his control line stuka an flew it for us. And from that day on I got all my RC airplane stuff from him. RIP old friend
Is this the man that owned Don’s Happy Hobby Haven in down town Beaumont? I went there when I was. Kid. Very nice man. Prayers for his family and many friends.