Donovan Grant "Doc" Minder

BURLESON -- Donovan Grant "Doc" Minder, 65, died Monday, Sept. 5, 2005. Memorial service: 10 a.m. Friday at Mountain Valley Funeral Home Chapel in Burleson, and at a later date in Elk River, Minn. The family will receive family and friends at the Minder home following the memorial service. Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Johnson County Sports Association Junior Club, American Leukemia Society, Speedway Children's Charities of Texas or the American Red Cross. Doc was born June 25, 1940, in Anoka, Minn., to Florence Edith Wyatt Minder and Benjamin Eli "Grant" Minder, who both preceded him in death. He lived most of his childhood and attended school in Elk River, Minn. He attended college and completed an interstate commerce commission law degree. Doc's professional career was dedicated to Burlington Northern Railroad as a cost analyst. He transferred to Fort Worth with the company in 1984. The highlight of his professional career included a key role in developing Protexa Burlington International, a joint venture company associated with Burlington Northern Rail Road. He retired in 1994 after 32 years of service. Doc's entire life was devoted to his wife and daughters. However, he still found time to serve his community in many capacities. He was a member of Central Lutheran Church, Elk River, Minn. Doc served on the town board and as mayor of Burns Township, Minn., and was a Lions Club member. He dedicated a great deal of time serving as a 4-H leader to Burns Progressive 4-H Club in Anoka County, Minn., because his daughters were crazy about horses. Doc was a member of the Pony of Americas Club in Minnesota and Texas. He held many official positions in the POAC. Doc believed parental involvement was the key to raising responsible children. He traveled to over 15 states with his daughters showing horses. Survivors: Wife, Dorene of Burleson; daughter, Nicolle Boyd and her husband, Brad, of Morgan Mill; daughter, Liz Davis and her husband, Scott, of Amarillo; his granddaughter, Regan Elizabeth Davis, who gave him the name "Pee Paw"; sisters, Pat Smuder and husband, Sam, of Elk River, Minn., and Dolly Reynolds and husband, Mickey, of Champlin, Minn.; mother-in-law, Doris Herges and husband, Herb, of Mascoutah, Ill.; numerous sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends; dogs, Dew (deceased), Gretel, Snickers; and his "granddog," Frito Boyd.