Donald Barrington

Donald Barrington

Beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Donald Keith Barrington was called home by our Heavenly Father on Friday evening after a valiant lifelong battle with Diabetes.  He faced every obstacle with an enormity of faith and strength, all to spend a little more time with his family.  Finally, his challenges became insurmountable and we are comforted in knowing that he is now with his beloved, Karen.

One of these challenges included a kidney transplant in 2007, the donor being his niece Mary-Lou Barrington Dohnal.  Donald was in constant appreciation of this which made it possible to maintain a life without dialysis.  Thus inspiring his donation of tissue, bone and skin for the benefit of others.

Donald Barrington was born on March 14, 1938 in Jonah, Texas to Rufus and Mary Barrington.  He then met the love of his life, Karen and they married on July 7, 1960. Donald had a hunger for education and he first attended the University of Texas, on an academic scholarship, and then Baylor University. There he graduated and earned a Masters degree in Mathematics. During this time, Donald made the decision to relocate to Waco, Texas where he started his career as an Engineer at Rocketdyne. He was also a passionate and active member of Brookview Methodist Church, volunteering in many capacities.  Donald and Karen made Waco their home and happily raised three children, Kathy, Keith and Kristie.

In 1985 Donald and Karen relocated to Austin, Texas to be closer to their extended family. In Austin Donald continued his career with Tracor, Tremetrics and finally Thermo Finnigan, retiring in 2009.  Desiring to help others, Donald and Karen volunteered hours and hours at Seton Hospital and Covenant Methodist Food Pantry.  They cherished countless weekends at their family lakehouse on Lake Buchanan where Donald spent many hours on the water over his favorite fishin ’ holes.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife Karen Kuempel Barrington, sister-in-law Eleanor Buchhorn , parents Rufus and Mary and his brother Joe.  He leaves behind his children Kathy and Harley Alloway, Keith and Melissa Barrington, Kristie and John Wofford and his grandchildren, Taylor and Abbi, Tori and Jenna, Steven and Jacqui, Dillon, Colton, McKenzie, Cameron and Zane.  His great-grandchildren Alivia and Ava.  His siblings/in-laws, Ruth, Jimmy and Penny, Joyce and Henry, his brothers/sister-in-laws, George and Judy, Jack and Janell, Donald and Jeanette, Leonard, and David as well as many nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved.

The celebration of his life will be held at Covenant United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas on September 24 ^th at 2:00 pm. A reception immediately following.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Covenant Methodist Food Bank in honor of Donald and Karen Barrington at http://www.covenantaustin.org/events-activities/food-pantry/

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Donald’s amazing medical team, especially Dr. Richard Lewis who performed his kidney transplant.