Donald Max Wreyford

Donald Max Wreyford, 92, of Marble Falls, Texas passed away August 20, 2020. He was born to Lawrence Sidney and Hattie Mae (Hester) Wreyford on March 22, 1928 on a small farm in Haskell County, Texas.

Mr. Wreyford began his adult life by serving his country in the United States Army Air Corps as an enlisted man and later as an officer in the USAF. He married his childhood sweetheart, Annette Stanfield, on June 11, 1946. Immediately following, he deployed to Europe in the aftermath of WWII. Thirtythree months after his return, he earned a BS in Math, a BS in Physics, and a minor in Chemistry at Hardin Simmons University.

While a student, he started a family and had several jobs. During those years, he worked for an undertaker, the US Post Office, in a drug store as a janitor, and at oil refineries. His work in refinery labs led to his lifelong career as an inventor and businessman. He founded ANTEK, an analytical instrumentation company, in their garage. It grew to have over sixty employees with offices in Houston, Texas and Dusseldorf, Germany.

He later founded ANTEK Industrial in Marble Falls, Texas. He was awarded numerous patents for his development of cutting-edge technology that revolutionized the industry.

If that wasn’t enough, he yearned for excitement and adventure. He announced to his wife Annette, “I’m tired of working so hard, I want to do something I really enjoy.” When asked “What?” he replied, “I either want to chase women or take flying lessons.” She laughed and replied, “Well you better go fly.” With her support, he developed a lifelong passion for aviation that influenced others including his children and grandchildren.

He was a patriot, scholar, business owner, inventor, and an iconoclast. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend. His integrity was unparalleled. His philanthropy through the Wreyford Family Foundation reflected his commitment to science education, particularly to children with limited access to resources.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Annette, of Marble Falls, Texas; children, Larry Wreyford and wife Ingalill, of Kingsland, Texas, Randy Wreyford and wife Lesley of Junction, Texas, Debbie Wreyford of Novato, California, and Jim Wreyford and wife Susan of Marble Falls, Texas; grandchildren, Thomas Wreyford, Jennifer Wreyford Malone and husband Mark, Kristine Wreyford and husband Joakim Hellsedt, Natalie Cruz and husband Rod, Nathan Wreyford and wife Christina, Josh Wreyford and wife Julie, Ryan Wreyford , and stepgrandson, Wayne Norfleet; great-grandchildren, Andrew, Sebastian, Alyssa, Michael, and Kara Wreyford, Austin Lester, Kendall Lester and wife Cassie Powell, August Wreyford, Julia, Cameron, Nicholas, and Alex Cruz, Miles and Mason Miller, Anna and Liam Wreyford; great-great-grandson, Josiah Lester; and brother, Lee Wreyford.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his son Ronnie Wreyford, brother Lawrence Wreyford, and sister Georgia Sadler.

A visitation was held Sunday, Aug. 23, at Putnam Funeral Home in Kingsland. Serviceswere held Monday, Aug. 24, at the Putnam Funeral Home Chapel in Kingsland with Jon Weems officiating. Interment followed at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park in Burnet, Texas, with military honors rendered by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Marble Falls Boys and Girls Club 1701 Broadway Street Marble Falls, Texas 78654, (830) 798-2582.

Arrangements by Putnam Funeral Home & Crematory LLC, Kingsland.