Tributes

Donald R. “Lil’ Dee” Grace II was born on September 20, 1972, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Donald R. and Juliet T. Grace. As the second child in a young military family, Don grew up traveling the world one Air Force base at a time. He was cherished by his older sister, Trina, and later by his younger sisters, Tania and Tamara, who kept him in line until the long‑awaited arrival of his baby brother, Danan, who quickly became Don’s biggest fan. Together, the family of seven built a life grounded in faith, loyalty, and deep love for one another. A proud 1991 graduate of Randolph High School, Don lettered in marching band, football, and track & field. He was a dedicated teammate whose friendships from those years lasted a lifetime. Beyond athletics and music, Don discovered an early passion for computers, electronics, and gaming—long before they became everyday interests. He later pursued studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio and ITT Technical Institute, gaining the skills that would shape his professional path. Don met the love of his life, Merry Rene, through their mutual friend Bryan, who would later stand beside them as best man at their 1996 wedding. Together, Don and Merry built a beautiful life and raised three sons—Donald III, Evan, and Alexander. When Don accepted a dream opportunity as an integration technologist at Intel, the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Over the next 25 years, he became known as a loyal, hardworking, and dedicated employee, as well as a trusted mentor and friend. Outside of work, Don enjoyed reading, collecting comics, gaming, and spending time with his family. He treasured every moment with his sons and shared life lessons that will continue to guide them. To his nieces and nephews, he was “Uncle Dee”, a constant supporter who followed their lives closely and celebrated their accomplishments with pride. His large extended family and wide circle of friends, spread across the country and beyond, each held a special place in his heart. Don was an extraordinary husband and father, a devoted son, and a brother whose presence made others feel protected and supported. To all who knew him, he was a gentle giant—strong in stature, but even greater in compassion and kindness. On April 2, 2026, Don spread his well‑earned wings and went home to be with the Lord. He is survived by his loving wife, Merry; his sons, Donald III, Evan, and Alex; his parents, Donald and Juliet Grace; his father‑in‑law, Leslie Martin; his siblings, Trina Thomas, Tania Grace, Tamara Peavy, and Danan Grace; his nieces, Brittany, Tarine, and Teanna; his nephews, DJ, Micah, Daniel, Donovan, Danan, and Dezmon; his great‑nieces and great‑nephews; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who will forever cherish his memory. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11:00am at Mission Park Funeral Chapels Medical Center, 8332 Fredericksburg Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78229. “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” - Matthew 25:21

Tributes

Donald Raymond Grace Jr.

September 20, 1972 - April 2, 2026