Don Powell Gilchrest

Don Powell Gilchrest, of Salado, passed away on April 1, 2015.

Services were held April 4 at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Belton with the Rev. Andy Davis officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

He was born May 5, 1937 in Gatesville to Lillie Clemons Gilchrest and Harvey Otto Gilchrest and moved to Waco as an infant. He attended Waco schools and graduated from Waco High in 1955.

Gilchrest joined the U.S. Air Force in 1957 and served the 858th Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron in Fallon, Nevada. In December 1959 he married the love of his life, Jean Colson Gilchrest of Waco, TX, and celebrated 55 years of marriage in 2014.

The Gilchrests moved to Nevada where their first child, Byron, was born in 1960.

After an Honorable Discharge and moving back to the Waco area in 1961 their daughter, Donna, was born.

Gilchrest worked part-time at Hammond Industry and Alamo Steel while completing his BBA at Baylor University.

After graduation he began his decades-long career in the Steel Fabricating Industry beginning at Central Texas Iron Works in Waco in the Purchasing Department. Later he moved to Houston, where he joined IKG Industries, a Division of Harsco, and held various positions in management and sales before retiring in 2003.

The Gilchrests enjoyed extensive travel up until the time he became ill in February.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Belton. He was a leader in United Way efforts, a mentor to youth and a Scoutmaster with Boy Scouts of America with Woodbadge Training, volunteered in community safety with Salado Citizens on Patrol program, volunteered with Campers’ on Mission, etc.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, R.E. Pete Gilchrest; and a sister, Ruth Gilchrest Mullins.

He is survived by his wife Jean Gilchrest of Salado; a son, Byron Gilchrest and wife Colleen of Salado; a daughter, Donna Gilchrest of McGregor; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.