Donald Layton MASSEY

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1930, Living with parents in Prec. 1, Eastland Co., Texas
• Census: 1940, Living with parents in Corsicana, Navarro Co., Texas

Notes:

Name:
Donald Layton Massey, 81, of Corsicana, former Chief of Police and former City Councilman, went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 20, 2011 in Navarro County. Donald (Don) was born March 21, 1930 in Olden, Texas to Arthur and Delia Massey. During the early years of his life he worked at Sears and Austin Shoe Store with the desire to serve the public. He earned his degree in Criminal Justice Navarro College and joined the Corsicana Police Department in the early 1960's.

Don later became Chief of Police in Corsicana and served office for six years. In 1979 he moved to Conroe, Texas and served as Chief of Police for eight years. After returning to Corsicana Independent School District for four years.

Looking forward to retirement years, he enjoyed camping and touring the different State Parks in his RV camper with family and friends. He had a fondness for Christmas decorating and enjoyed participating in the Festival of Lights. After he retired, Don still had a desire to serve the public as a Corsicana City Council Member for eight years.

Don was a long time member of the Eleventh Avenue Methodist Church now the St,. Luke UMC, where he had a passion for music as a member of the choir, singing with a great appreciation for the Lord and his church family.

Don was a member of many Corsicana Civic Groups, as well as serving with honors in the 36th Infantry Division in the Texas National Guard.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, brother's Glynn, Gene, Jim, Cols and sister Hattie Massey Perkins and daughter Dianna Sue (Susie) Massey Ganze.

He is survived by his wife Doreena Mae Hayes Massey and cherished the memory of sixty one years of marriage; daughters and sons-in-law - Donna Massey Scruggs and her husband Jerry of Purdon, Texas and Debbie Massey Dixon and her husband Mark of Burleson, Texas; Son-in-law Randy Ganze of Purdon; Sister-in-law Alice and her husband Raymond Davidson of Corsicana; nephew Richard Massey and wife Sammie of Eastland, Texas, Niece Ann Massey of Corsicana and numerous other nieces and nephews and his grandchildren Chris and Jeremy Scruggs, Amy Dixon Pillans, Carrie Dixon Hendrix, Lauren Dixon, Jeffery Ganze and Dustin Ganze serving in Afghanistan; eight great-grandchildren and a host of other family members.

Visitation will be Sunday, May 22, 2011 from 6 to 8pm at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home.

Service will be Monday, May 23, 2011 at 10:00 am at the Chapel at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bruce Carpenter and Chaplain Lewis Palos officiating. A private graveside burial will follow for family at Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Leslie Cotton, Mike Cox, Lewis Palos, Ronnie McGaha, Thomas Dockery and Randy Blue. Honorary pallbearers will be Brad Haynie, Neal Baggett and Navarro County, Corsicana and Conroe Peace Officers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Luke UMC Church or Choir Fund.

Chief Massey's last wish was for the city of Corsicana to always prosper and grow in peace.

Posted on Find A Grave
Created by: Bill Wallace

Family/Spouse: Doreena Mae HAYES. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]