Donald Allan "Tose" Nowlin, age 87,  passed away on Sunday, December 13, 2020. He was born May 1, 1933.  He married the love of his life, Barbara Dickey, April 8, 1955.

Donald was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was a faithful Christian who loved his church family and through the years had served in many capacities as a member of the First Baptist Church, De Leon.

Donald was born and reared in the small community of Duster.  During his De Leon school days he helped his father on the farm where he cultivated a love for farm life.  After graduation, he worked in the oil fields in West Texas.  He has also been employed with the American Cyanamid Chemical Plant, General Dynamics, and the US Postal Service, all in the Fort Worth area.  In January 1953, he joined the US Air Force where he served most of his four years at the Gary Air Force Base in San Marcos.

His farming and ranching career begin in late December 1956, and he continued to farm until November 2015 at which time his health begin to decline.  His major farm crop was peanuts but he loved to grow watermelons.  He would strive for perfection in his farming and his peanut rows would be perfect.  He loved to take his grandsons to the farm where he would teach them to drive a tractor, shoot a gun, or back a trailer.  He would entertain them with deer hunting, fishing, or looking for arrowheads.  All his grandchildren and great grandchildren were very special to him.

Donald was extremely competitive and loved to visit the Stephen Feed Store and play 42 dominoes.  During holidays and social events, he enjoyed playing 84 dominoes, Bridge, and horseshoes with family and friends.  He worked hard to grow the best watermelons to display during De Leon festival time.  He was a collector of arrowheads and miniature antique model cars and pickups.  He won several awards with his antique 1940 Ford Pickup.

Donald is survived by his wife, Barbara Nowlin; his three daughters, Brenda Huddleston and husband Mike, Peggy Lewelling and husband Tim, and Donna Georger and husband Jim; seven grandchildren,Haley Young and husband Brett, Trey Lewelling and wife Kara, Alison Regian and husband Zack, Tyler Georger and wife Kayla, Candace Carlisle and husband Michael, Braden Lewelling and Audrey Georger; seven great grandchildren, Kinlee Young, Kellen Young, Kase Lewelling, Tripp Lewelling, Weston Georger, Holden Regian and Kennedy Carlisle; numerous nieces and nephews; and other extended family.

He was preceded by his parents, Doyle and Clara Nowlin; brothers, Ted Nowlin and wife Mozelle and  Cap Nowlin and wife Carole.

Graveside funeral services were held Saturday, December 19,2020 at 1:00 p.m. in De Leon Cemetery with Brother Daniel Harper officiating. If you wish, memorial contributions may be made to De Leon First Baptist Church in memory of Donald.

*Due to the current Comanche County COVID-19 regulations on group gatherings, we kindly ask that any friends planning to attend Donald's graveside service respectfully stand at least 20 feet from the tent. The tent seating will be reserved for immediate family only. We are saddened that we cannot currently allow friends to pay their respects to the Nowlin family with a traditional visitation and ceremony. The family appreciates your understanding of the graveside safety regulations and is thankful for your continued prayers and kind thoughts during this difficult time. Masks are required in large gatherings.