Donald "Donnie" Nash Lera

Donald Nash Lera, affectionately known as "Donnie" and “Pops," passed away peacefully on July 13, 2025, just days after celebrating his 79th birthday, on his beloved Galveston Island with his daughter Angela by his side. 

Born on July 10, 1946, on Galveston Island, Donnie was the cherished son of Orlando and Doris Evelyn Nash Lera. He grew up deeply admiring his parents - his mother, Doris, a devoted and energetic gym teacher at Lovenberg Jr. High, and his father, Orlando, a gentle man with a sharp wit who worked at the American Oil Company and was the proud son of Italian immigrants from Lucca, Italy. 

Donnie's childhood was full of sun-soaked memories, especially summers spent "down the island" with cousins at the Nash family camp on Nine Mile Road. His family eventually moved to the mainland, where Donnie grew up in La Marque and graduated from La Marque High School in 1964. Through what he humbly called "the grace of God," Donnie went on to graduate from Texas A&M University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. A proud Aggie for life, he bled maroon and never missed a chance to shout "Gig'em!" 

In 1969, Donnie was drafted into the U.S. Army and served with honor in Vietnam before being discharged in 1971. Upon returning home, he began his career at Amoco Credit Union before finding his lifelong professional home at Stewart Title Company. Over the next five decades, Donnie became a trusted and respected figure in the banking and real estate community, eventually serving as Vice Chairman of Stewart Title Galveston. 

Donnie was also deeply involved in public service and civic life. He was a proud member of the La Marque Jaycees, La Marque Kiwanis Club, and both the Texas City and Galveston Rotary Clubs. He was elected to the La Marque ISD School Board, where he spent years giving back to the school district that helped shape him. 

A devoted fan of La Marque Cougar football, Donnie missed only two games in his lifetime-once for the birth of his daughter in 1974, and once for a heart attack in 1994 (but he still managed to sneak a radio into his hospital room). Alongside his dear friend Jimmy Hayley, Donnie crisscrossed Texas to cheer on the Cougars and swap tall tales about players, games, and gridiron glory. 

Donnie was also an avid golfer and longtime member of Lakeview Country Club. Golfing with Jimmy and friends led to unforgettable trips - including a pilgrimage to the Masters - and more than a few stories that will live on for generations. 

In 1999, Donnie took on the role that gave him the most joy: Pops. With the birth of his beloved granddaughter, Caroline Antoinette Termini, his world grew immeasurably richer. Pops was always ready to babysit, attend a school play, or simply wave at the trolley as it passed Stewart Title with his daughter and granddaughter aboard. He never missed a recital, game, or pageant and beamed with pride at Caroline's graduation from the University of Houston and her journey into graduate school. 

Later in life, Donnie fulfilled another dream - traveling the world with his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. He explored Cyprus, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Peru, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, and across the United States, always returning home to Galveston with new stories to share. 

A proud Aggie until the end, Donnie could often be found in his recliner on Saturdays, humming the Aggie War Hymn or shouting "Farmers Fight!" His maroon blood ran deep. 

Donnie is survived by his loving daughter Angela and her husband, Dr. Kyriakos "Kokos" Markides of Galveston and Cyprus; his cherished granddaughter Caroline Termini of Galveston; his dear cousin Cecile Norman; and a wide circle of extended family and lifelong friends. 

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Orlando and Doris Nash Lera. 

In his own words, signing off for the last time: "Good night y'all, I'm out. Gig 'em." 

A memorial service will be held at J. Levy & Termini Funeral Home on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 5:30 P.M., with Angel Wall officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the services beginning at 4:30 P.M.

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