Husband. Father. PaPaw. Brother. Uncle. Son. Friend. Constable. Cowboy.
Donald Earl Standley, known to his friends and family as Donnie, was born in Anahuac, Texas on March 21, 1954, to his parents Earl and Mary Lou Standley. He grew up riding horses with his siblings and childhood friends all over Double Bayou and swimming in the bayou (much to his mother’s dismay). Donnie was a self-proclaimed “mama’s boy,” and had a fierce love for Mary Lou, who passed on her sweet nature and cooking skills to Donnie. He attended schools at Anahuac and Galveston Ball High School, graduating in 1973. He married his sweetheart, Donna Metcalf Standley, on January 23, 1980, and then took on his most valued role as father to Crystal, born in 1981, and Lindsey, born in 1985. He settled in Double Bayou on land his grandparents owned and where they raised their family.
Donnie worked for Brown & Root for many years and then went on to do ranch work for several ranches in Chambers County. He spent many hours at his own D2 ranch in the arena training horses, holding team penning competitions and training his two girls in barrel racing and pole bending. Some of his fondest memories were of watching Crystal and Lindsey win belt buckles and trophies at rodeos.
In January 2005, he took on a new role and was sworn into office as Chambers County Precinct 3 Constable – a title that he held for almost 20 years. He greatly cherished his role as Constable. He served his constituents well and worked all hours of the day and night to help those in need. He also valued his friendships with the other Constables and all those he worked closely with in Chambers County. Donnie served as the police escort for countless funeral processions over the years and was a source of comfort and strength for so many grieving families.
Donnie was a friend to everyone. He was the kind of man who kept his word and expected others to do the same. He always had the best advice and words of wisdom to anyone who needed to hear it. Donnie loved God, his family, and the cowboy life. He ended each day with his very own Bible study in his favorite worn-out recliner that Donna and the girls encouraged him to get rid of for years.
Donnie grew up living the cowboy lifestyle and continued to live that way until he took his last breath. He was a true horseman. He loved riding horses and spent many hours in the roping pen that he built, alongside his son-in-law Anthony. Donnie wore the same attire every day: Wranglers, boots, belt, and a button-down shirt. He truly was “the last of the real cowboys.”
Donnie loved to tell jokes and had the best stories. He also had a big laugh; his son-in-law, Quinton, would often have him rolling with tears. He also had the ability to have the best heart-to-heart conversations with those he loved and cared about. He ended most conversations with: “Love you. Call me if you need anything.”
Donnie was generous, kind, and very protective of his family. He never failed to say “call me when you get home” to Donna and the girls any time they parted ways.
Donnie was dependable and strong. He was the kind of man who rode out Hurricane Ike on the roof of his house, all to be able to stay with his horses, cows, and dogs, and protect as much of his house and land as he could. He was the kind of man who didn’t hesitate to stay the night in the hospital with Crystal after newborn Colt had to be taken to the NICU at another hospital the same day. He was the kind of man who drove from Double Bayou to Vidor with the lights flashing in his Constable car just to help a distraught Lindsey search for her missing dog all night long until the sun came up the next day.
Donnie’s greatest love of his life was his bride, Donna. They were married for 44 years and never stopped holding hands, kissing, and hugging like teenagers. In recent years, Donnie would often send Donna love songs on YouTube every night before bed so she would get it first thing in the morning when she woke up – being as he was a night owl and would go to bed long after she did.
Donnie loved his two girls fiercely and unconditionally. He was a constant in both of their lives and their biggest hero. He showed them love and gentleness, and he never failed to let them know how proud he was of them.
Donnie took great pride in his grandsons – from hours practicing baseball and basketball, to boxing and wrestling matches, he enjoyed them and loved them more than anything. Each of them has probably heard “Who’s PaPaw’s boy?” more times than they can count. They will always be PaPaw’s boys.
Those left to cherish Donnie’s life and legacy are his wife, Donna; daughter Crystal Almanza and husband Anthony; daughter Lindsey Fruge and husband Quinton; grandsons Case Almanza, Colt Almanza, Cooper Fruge, Kipp Fruge, and Conner Almanza; siblings Artus Standley and wife Debbie, Larry Standley and wife Carol, Janie Standley, Lynn Monteau and husband Glen. He was also “Uncle Donnie” to many nieces and nephews, whom he loved.
Donnie leaves behind a legacy of family, love, friendship, and faithfulness. The impact he made on those around him will last forever.
Friends are invited to visit with the family beginning at 12pm, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the White’s Park Community Building, 219 White Memorial Park Road, Hankamer, Texas 77560. A celebration of Donnie’s life will be held at 1pm at the Community Building, with Darrell Thomas officiating. A meal will be served following the services.
Condolences and memories can be shared online with the family by visiting http://www.SterlingFuneralHome.com.
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.