Donald Joseph Demchak, affectionately known as Don, was born on October 29, 1946, in Clairton, Pennsylvania. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, veteran, and friend. He will be remembered for his love of family, determination, generous spirit, and catholic faith.
Don graduated from Clairton High School in 1965, where he earned three varsity letters in cross-country. While growing up, he also worked at the Sunoco station in Wilson, opened by his father and uncle in the 1960s.
Don served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army and received a Purple Heart for wounds sustained in service. His duties included work as a tunnel rat and mortar soldier. He was a member of the American Legion and a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Deeply devoted to his Catholic faith, Don especially loved praying the rosary.
After returning home, he worked with the juvenile court system. He later joined IBM and, through its academic program, attended the University of Pittsburgh to study computer programming, earning high honors. In June 1972, he began working as a computer systems data analyst at JCPenney, where he remained until December 2006.
A lifelong, die-hard Pittsburgh sports fan, Don cheered on the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates. He was an avid member of the Austin Avenue Southern Steel fan club in Plano, Texas. He also enjoyed gardening, trying his luck at casinos, and working on crossword and jigsaw puzzles.
Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Sharon Lee Pitts Demchak; his brothers, David A. Demchak and Paul Kearns; his parents, Joseph Felix and Anna Elizabeth Demchak; his stepfather, John E. Durkay; his brother-in-law, Harry Lentz; and his stepsister-in-law, Frances “Mickey” Kearns.
He is survived by his children, Donald John Demchak and Cathy Ann Demchak; his sister, Joann Demchak Lentz; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. Don also kept in touch with David’s former wife, Dorothy “Dolly” Demchak, and David’s companion, Lauretta DeCello, who remained part of his extended circle of loved ones.
The family will receive friends for a visitation on Thursday evening, October 22, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas, 75013.
A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 23, 2026, at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 1914 Ridgeview Drive, Allen, Texas, 75013.
A graveside interment with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 16, 2026, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.
Don loved his family deeply. His service, steady presence, and enduring devotion to his family, country, and faith will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.