Doran Erich Lemke was born on August 23, 1944, to Erich and Jane (Doran) Lemke in Midland, Texas.
He passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, in Brownwood. He leaves behind a wife of 52 years, Glenda (Cox) Lemke, a daughter, Kara (David) Markham, one grandson, Case Markham, one granddaughter, McKenzie (Jason) Markham Burt, two sisters, Janet (Richard) Morris and Liesa (David) Land, one brother, Gerald “Tinker” (Theresa) Lemke, bonus daughter and son in law, Amy and Jason Tindol, bonus grandchildren Ty, Kate, and Barrett Tindol, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and many, many friends.
Doran began school in Midland shortly before the family moved to Brownwood where he completed grade school and junior high. The family bought a country home in Rochelle, Texas where he spent all four years of high school, graduating in 1962. Doran played multiple sports including football, basketball, and track as well as excelling in UIL slide rule where he went to the state finals during his junior year. He was an active FFA member serving as the class president and FHA Beau, in addition to serving as a livestock and poultry judge. Each summer Doran was eager to hire out for any work available, mostly hauling hay or driving a dump truck as the coliseum was being built.
In the fall of 1962, Doran headed to Texas A&M. At the closing of his freshman year, he found himself on scholastic probation due to a surplus of absences. After a year at Tarleton State University, he quickly to returned to A&M in the fall of 1964 to complete his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics in May 1966. A testament to Doran’s playful demeanor; in a soil science class, the professor who was nicknamed “Earthworm Mills” was preparing the class for the challenging final ahead warning, “In fact, you can plan on your grade falling one whole letter”. To which Doran raised his hand and replied, “Do you give G’s?”
After college, Doran went to Arlington to work for Purina, where he met his future wife, Glenda. Shortly after, they married in Rochelle and later moved to Nacogdoches, Goldthwaite, and then Brownwood, Texas where he served as the Chief Appraiser for Mills and Brown County, ultimately retiring in that very same role many years later.
Doran loved to hunt, fish, play golf and cards of any kind. He was very competitive and did not care to lose. His pride and joy was his grandson, Case, as he spent much of his time with him and his dogs Bingo and Bullet. He very much loved watching Case play sports and made sure to attend every game possible. McKenzie came into the picture in 2003 quickly becoming a sunshine to Doran and Glenda. They were so grateful to have this precious young girl join their family.
He was kind and helpful to those in need, having a soft place in his heart especially for single moms working to support their families. He was always serving and giving to someone, especially the Sonic girls! Doran was witty and had a way of always making people laugh, developing that playful charm growing up with his brother Butch, and later Mama Jane, as he could get the biggest rise out of her. Up until this last Monday, he was cracking one funny comment after another during a visit from his siblings. Despite all his pain and treatments, he never lost his sense of humor.
Our lives here on earth will not ever be the same. Although life in heaven will be livelier and more fun, so many will miss the heart that was Doran. He is rejoicing with Mama Jane, Papa Slim, Butch, Gradgie, Grandad Doran, Mama and Papaw Lemke, and all of the other family members who went before.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 27, 2022, in Common Grounds at the First United Methodist Church of Brownwood. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 AM, prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Duren Cemetery in Mills County.
Memorial gifts can be sent to Good Samaritan and Latch Key.
Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the Lemke family online at heartlandfuneralhome.net