Donald Joseph “Donnie” Frerich, age 77, of Windthorst, Texas, passed away peacefully Sunday evening, September 27, 2026, in a Wichita Falls hospital.

Vigil service and rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Windthorst. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 1, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Rev. Joseph Lim officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery under the direction of Aulds Funeral Home of Archer City.

Donnie was born April 8, 1949, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to the late Herman Otto Frerich and Eleanor Antionetta Baumhardt Frerich. He was a 1967 graduate of Windthorst High School.

He married Cindy Schroeder on November 7, 1970, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Windthorst.

Donnie wore many hats throughout his lifetime, both in his career and in community service. He worked for White’s Stores Incorporated and then, CertainTeed for thirty-three years. It was always hard for Donnie to sit still, so after his retirement, he worked part-time at AMPI, Archer County Precinct 2, Tri-Star Services and was also a managing partner for the Rocking E Ranch.

He loved giving back to his community. Donnie was a charter member of the Windthorst Volunteer Fire Department, where he served for forty-two years. He also served as the mayor, a city councilman, and at one time, City Manager, for the City of Windthorst.

Donnie loved his cattle and most any animal. He and Cindy rescued many four-legged friends, but held a special place in his heart for dogs. Donnie enjoyed hunting, fishing and an occasional trip across the river to the casino. He also had a group of card playing buddies who he looked forward to meeting with three times a week to play Sheepshead.

He was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he sang in the choir and served on the cemetery committee for many years. Donnie was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Kettler Council No 1824.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy Frerich of Windthorst; two sisters, Patsy Stallcup and husband, Harold and Ann Wolf, all of Scotland; one brother, Art Frerich and wife, Esther of Lake Arrowhead; four sisters-in-law, Ann Hertel and husband, Tim of Windthorst, Cathy Anderle and husband, Roy of Mena, Arkansas, Vicki Neeb and husband, Ted of Windthorst and Jeanne Lowe of Henrietta; two brothers-in-law, Harold Schroeder and wife, Sherry of Bryan, Texas and Butch Schroeder and wife, Diane of Windthorst; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials to Windthorst Volunteer Fire Department, Post Office Box 162, Windthorst, Texas 76389 or Humane Society of Wichita County, 4360 Old Iowa Park Road, Wichita Falls, Texas 76305.