Donald Layton MASSEY

Male 1930 - 2011  (81 years)


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  • Name Donald Layton MASSEY  [2, 3
    • 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 [1]
    Census 1930  Living with parents in Prec. 1, Eastland Co., Texas Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Birth 21 Mar 1930  Olden, Eastland County, Texas Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3
    Gender Male 
    Census 1940  Living with parents in Corsicana, Navarro Co., Texas Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Death 20 May 2011  Corsicana, Navarro Co., Texas Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Burial Hamilton Beeman Cemetery, Retreat, Navarro Co., Texas Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Person ID I86531  Main Tree
    Last Modified 28 Jul 2016 

    Father William Arthur MASSEY,   b. 28 Mar 1891, Roane, Navarro Co., Texas Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 22 Sep 1969, Corsicana, Navarro Co., Texas Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 78 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother Vida Ardelia SLAWSON,   b. 2 Jul 1891, Franklin, Robertson Co., Texas Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 8 Dec 1973, Hearne, Robertson Co., Texas Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 82 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Marriage Bef 1912 
    Family ID F35572  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Doreena Mae HAYES 
    Family ID F35594  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 28 Jul 2016 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsCensus - 1930 - Living with parents in Prec. 1, Eastland Co., Texas Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 21 Mar 1930 - Olden, Eastland County, Texas Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 20 May 2011 - Corsicana, Navarro Co., Texas Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Sources 
    1. [S02329] Find A Grave Website.

    2. [S8627] 1930 Census Precinct 1, Eastland County, Texas.

    3. [S01822] Ancestry.com: Texas, U.S., Birth Index, 1903-1997.

    4. [S8628] 1940 Census Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas.