Donald Dewayne

Whitfield

On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, Donald DeWayne Whitfield 55, of Beaumont, TX; was called home to be with his loved ones.

Services are as follows:

Gathering: Feb. 02, 2023, T and J Family Funeral Home 1856 Norwood Plaza Hurst, TX. A Gathering of Family and Friend will be from 7-9PM under the direction of Proctor's Mortuary Beaumont.

Life Celebration: Feb. 03, 2023, Potter's House Church 6777 Kiest Blvd. Dallas TX. Funeral will begin at 9:30AM. Interment will be at 11:30AM at DFW National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, TX.

Reflection of Life:

Donald DeWayne Whitfield affectionately known as "Smoke" was born on May 20, 1967 in Monahans, Texas to the late Austin Jr. and Yvonne Whitfield. Four children were born to this union. Don was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents, and his brother, David Whitfield.

Don's family later moved to Kermit, Texas where he attended school. He graduated from Kermit High School as an honor student. He then continued his education at Odessa Community College where he earned his Associate Degree in General Studies. Don loved sports and considered himself as an "elite" athlete in basketball, baseball, and track during his high school and college years.

Don enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1987.  After completing Basic Training and Technical School, he began his career in Traffic Management Operations. This journey took him to various bases in the United States and Abroad. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades, service ribbons, achievement and commendation medals. Don also served his country during the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.

In addition to his continuous duties, Don continued his education by completing another Associates Degree in Logistics Applied Science from the Community College of the Air Force. He further continued his education by completing his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland.

In 2011, after returning to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas where his humble beginnings started, Don retired honorably from the United States Air Force after 24 years of service having earned the rank of Master Sergeant. As a retiree, he enjoyed his time reading, bike riding, spending time talking and laughing with his family and friends. Don was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan and of course you had to be die-hard because often they "die hard"!

During his last assignment at Lackland, Don re-dedicated his life to Christ. He faithfully attended New Creation Christian Fellowship with his family under the leadership of Bishop David M. Copeland and Pastor Emerita, Reverend Dr. Claudette A. Copeland.

Don leaves to cherish his memory, his children: Kheilani Whitfield-El Malki (Mohamed), Rene' Whitfield of Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Andre Whitfield of San Antonio, Texas, and Janiya Whitfield of Fort Worth, Texas; his grandchildren: Zakariya, Suleyman, Maryam of Gelsenkirchen, Germany; his brothers: Austin Whitfield III and Allen Whitfield of El Paso, Texas; his aunts: Myrtlean Pace of Pflugerville, Texas, Ida Gamble of Odessa, Texas, Evelyn Love of Kermit, Texas; his uncle: Freddie Whitfield of Monahans, TX, and a host of family and friends.

Proctor's Mortuary - Beaumont, is in charge of final arrangements, 3522 Washington Blvd. Beaumont, TX. 77705 (409) 840-2022. The guest book can be signed; words of comfort and condolences for the family can be left at www.proctorsmortuary.com