Don Allen Hafley, 83 years old, of Milano, TX, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025 at Arlington Memorial Hospital in Arlington, TX.
He was born on November 30th, 1941, in Gause to Louis Thornton Hafley and Mary Julia Zedlitz Hafley. Don graduated from Hearne High School in 1959 and later earned his degree in physical education from Texas A&M College as well as a master’s degree in education from Texas A&M University in 1969. He went on to work as a coach and teacher at Strawn ISD, Gause ISD and Milano ISD where he made many friends and influenced many young people.
On August 3rd, 1963, he married Carolyn Dee Yoakum, and together they built a life filled with love and family. They were blessed with a son Martyn born in August of 1969. He was also a proud grandfather to Lillie and Maddie Hafley. They called him Papa.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn Hafley of Rockdale, his Son Martyn Hafley, daughter in law Diana Hafley, Granddaughters Lille and Maddie Hafley, brother in laws Gilmer Gaston and Travis Yoakum, sister-in-law Valery Beard, nephews DeAllen Gaston, Jeremy Gaston, Steve Hafley John Yoakum, nieces Tonia Gaston, Janet Mills, Dalaiah Eiland, Angela Beard, Jennifer Bailey and Crystal Beard. Along with numerous cousins and close friends. He was preceded in death by his father Louis Hafley, Mother Mary Zedlitz, Uncle Rufus Hafley, brothers Floyd and Johnny Hafley, sister Norma Gaston, Nephew Floyd Thomas Hafley, Neice Sandy Hafley and daughters Edra Vae and Mary.
A funeral service will be held on August 23rd at 10:00 AM at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Sandy Creed Cemetery. Friends and loved ones are invited to attend and celebrate his life at the Baptist Church in Milano following the burial at Sandy Creek. Visitation will be Friday August 22nd from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Phillips & Luckey in Rockdale