Donald Lyndon Box

Donald Lyndon Box, life-long firefighter, Christian servant and raconteur, died Friday, January 5, in Rusk, Texas, at the age of 91. Before he retired in 1980, after 33 years with the Fort Worth Fire Department, school children throughout the city knew him as “Fireman Box” for his lively safety demonstrations.

Baptized in a country creek by Foy E. Wallace at the age of 10, Mr. Box served as a deacon in every church he attended before he moved to Rusk in 1989. He served as an elder of the Rusk Church of Christ for more than a decade.

Born May, 13, 1915, in Dublin, Texas, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp as a firefighter in 1933. While attending North Texas State Teachers College from 1935 to 1939, he volunteered at the Denton Fire Department. He became fire chief at North American Aviation in 1941. During World War II, he served as a firefighter in the U.S. Army Air Force at Love Field, then in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood until the war ended.

He served as a firefighter for 17 years at the Fort Worth Fire Department before he took on the role of fire safety officer for the schools, hospitals, rest homes, church schools and day care centers. His photo often appeared in the Fort Worth Star Telegram with his faithful dalmatian dog, Cinderella Sparky, who helped with his demonstrations.

Trained in carpentry by his father, Mr. Box bought many old homes for his family and remodeled and sold them to supplement his salary as a firefighter and support his large family.

After retiring in 1980, he and his wife, Mattie, opened Romance Antiques near Romance, Ark. They sold the store in 1989 and traveled in eight states, conducting antique shows while operating booths in antique malls in Little Rock, Palestine and Rusk.

Known for his large family, Mr. Box was a strong family man and loved to brag about his eight children and tell stories about his ancestors’ escapades in moving through the southern states to settle in Texas.

A lover of people, Mr. Box made friends almost instantly wherever he went, from the grocery store clerk or gas station attendant to neighbors and church visitors. He was notorious for making his wife and children wait in the car during trips while he carried on a long visit with someone he had just met while asking directions or making a purchase.

Always active in church wherever he lived, he taught Bible classes, visited the sick and lonely, drove people to church services, conducted evangelistic training sessions, participated in mission outreaches, kept orphans and needy children in his home and adopted an abandoned deaf child. After moving to Rusk at the age of 75, he and his wife continued to visit the sick and elderly until prevented in the last two years due to failing health.

He is survived by his wife of almost 68 years, Mattie Box, of Rusk; eight children, Ramona Gililland of Smithville, Don “Mickey” Box of Hurst, Marquita Moss of Austin, Melany Shook of Arlington, Tahna Cody of Douglass, Jon Lee Box of Chantilly, Va., Camille Moore of Buderim, Australia and Gayle “Dorene” Garza of Ringgold, Ga; sons-in-law, Gary Moss, John Bob Cody, John Moore and Chano Garza; daughter-in-law, Lynn Box; 22 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; sister, Gene Maikell of Austin; two brothers, Madison Box of Midland and Johnny Box of Fort Worth; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Zola Box; sisters, Doreen Box and Loquita Cabe; brother, Joseph T. Box; son-in-law, Lyndel Gililland; daughter-in-law, Jan Box; and grandchildren Robert Gililland and Camille Box.

Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday at Autry Funeral Home, 1025 SE Loop 456 in Jacksonville, and funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Rusk Church of Christ. His sons and sons-in-law will conduct the service. Burial will be in the Douglass Cemetery.

His grandsons, Chris Box of Hurst, Terry Shook of Kemp, John Caleb Cody of Nacogdoches, Zach Cody of Denton, Sydney Moore of Australia, Taylor, Geoffrey and Daniel Box of Chantilly, Va. and Garrett Leisy of Fort Worth, representing the late Robert Gililland, will serve as pallbearers.

The elders and deacons of the Rusk Church of Christ will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Brentwood Christian School, 11908 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78753.

January 8, 2007