Donald Alvin Dacy passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at the age of 94. Born in Austin, Texas on February 15, 1927, his attendance at Baker Elementary School began his distinguished academic journey. He became an Eagle Scout, graduated from Austin High School in 1944, and then convinced his mother Margaret to allow him to join the United States Marine Corps at the age of seventeen. After WWII, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish at The University of Texas. His time as an exchange student at the University of Mexico contributed to his fluency in Spanish. He received a Master’s Degree in Russian Literature at Harvard University and then attained a PhD in Slavic Languages at UT. He also learned Russian, Czech and Arabic through self-study. Donald Dacy was a highly intellectual scholar.
He worked briefly at the family business, Dacy’s Shoe Store, before returning to school at Texas A&M to study agriculture. In 1954, along with his fraternal twin brother and best friend Douglas, he purchased a farm in Kyle, Texas. “The Farm” became his home for 67 years. Initially, he ran The Dacy Dairy but his home ultimately became a small scale haven for his cattle. Donald Dacy loved his cows and he loved The Farm.
Donald is predeceased by his parents, Joe and Margaret Dacy, his older brother George Dacy and sister Ruth Prestwood. Left to love and remember Donald are his twin brother Douglas, nephew Joe Dacy II and his wife Jennifer of Waxahachie, nephew Robert Louis Dacy and his wife Grace of Bastrop, nephew David Wayne Dacy of Austin, nephew Clyde Prestwood, Jr. of Austin and niece Kathleen Wilson of Austin. Donald is also survived by great-nephews George Dacy, Robert Dacy, Jr., Christopher Dacy, Dylan Dacy, Colin Dacy, Lee Prestwood and Brian Prestwood and great-nieces Kelly Wolfe, Catherine Howry, Alexis Dacy and Megan Vaughan. Also surviving Donald are many great- great- nephews and nieces and Louis cousins.
Donald Dacy, in spite of his extreme intellect, was very humble and self-deprecating. He always attributed his talents to luck, but that was far from the truth. Donald was a living saint, having graciously sacrificed over two decades of his life to being the 24/7 caregiver of his mother who had Parkinson’s Disease. Although there were many, Donald never talked about his achievements in life. He felt they were minor compared to his biggest contribution of caring for his mother. He had a generous and loving heart and always put others before himself. Donald was the best brother and spent every waking moment with his twin, an emptiness Douglas will feel until they meet again. We will always miss him. We will always remember him. We rejoice that he has after 94 years on this Earth, reached his final destination in Heaven.
The family would like to thank Valerie Segura, Freddy Villanueva and numerous other caregivers who provided at-home assistance for Donald over the past few years. We will be forever grateful.
Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 PM Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin. Funeral Service will be 1:00 PM Thursday, October 7, 2021 at St. David’s Episcopal Church, 304 E 7th St., Austin. Burial will follow at Oakwood Annex Cemetery.
