Herbert Franklin Donop, age 98, of Mason passed away in his sleep, peacefully and with a tiny smile, on May 18, 2020, in the Knopp Nursing Center in Fredericksburg, TX. Born November 29, 1921, to Edwin and Hulda Jordan Donop at their home in Art, Texas, he was the third of four children. Until his death, Herbert liked to share that he was the "oldest man in Mason County".

Herbert was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church in Art, Texas. There he attended a one-room school house three miles from his home, traveling on his mule, "Airplane." Even before being old enough to start school, Herbert learned the multiplication tables through 12, as well as becoming an excellent marksman with his .22 and his sling shot. He learned German as well as the English language. At eight years of age, he would go deer hunting by himself with his dad's 25-35 Winchester. As soon as he could swing a rope, Herbert started roping and caught many a calf just for practice and fun. The skill came in handy during the screwworm days because they had to rope and doctor cattle until they healed. Herbert didn't remember the Stock Market Crash of 1929, but he did remember the Great Depression that followed and the Dust Bowl Days of the '30s.

In 1939, Herbert graduated from Mason High School. In February 1942 after Pearl Harbor, he decided to go to Dallas Aviation School to study aircraft mechanics. When training was complete, Herbert chose the Air Force, ultimately enlisting in its cadet program. A grueling ten-day regimen of tests that covered a lot of math and mechanics would determine whether he would be assigned to train as a pilot or a bombardier. After passing all of the tests which even some college grads couldn't pass, this high school graduate was on his way to bombardier school. While waiting for this training, Herbert became aware of the chance to change to navigator school, so the switch was made. His childhood hunting skills would serve this 23-year-old marksman well because even navigators had to learn to simultaneously shoot two 50 caliber machine guns at a moving target. Herbert recalled that "They had a jeep running on a railroad track at 25 miles per hour towing a target 220 yards on the front side, and on the back side, 440 yards. I figured how long it took for the bullet to get there, how far the jeep would move, and how much the bullet would drop, so I knew where to aim." After two months of training, the Sergeant told him that for over three years, 300 students per week had shot this target and that his score was by far the highest he had seen. A C-47 would be Herbert's next challenge as he learned to navigate at night using the stars instead of maps to set longitude and latitude. When he graduated, he was rated as a lead navigator which meant he would be in the lead plane for bombing runs. World War II ended in September, 1945, and he was discharged as a Second Lieutenant in February, 1946, never experiencing battle. However, long after his military career ended, studying the stars was something he continued to enjoy and to share with his family.

When he returned to Mason, Herbert considered going to college to become a surveyor, but about that time he met Elvie Zesch. She "blew away" all his thoughts about college. They were married June 7, 1947, in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mason, Texas, and began their married life as ranchers in Mason County. Four children blessed their union: Trudy, Larry, Paul, and James. They had a marriage that spanned over 71 years before Elvie died on March 5, 2019.

As a rancher, Herbert lived through the drought of the 50's, good markets and bad.   He was an avid conservationist who strove to keep their property free of cactus and mesquite. Herbert bought his first Angus cattle in 1957. In order to improve his herd, Herbert learned to artificially inseminate his cows around 1972. His sons have taken his expertise to a new level and are well known for raising quality cattle and bulls. He was not one to avoid something new, and in 1974 at the age of 53, he and Elvie traded Elvie's inherited property on the James River and started on a new path that included not only ranching but also farming in McCulloch and Concho Counties with their son Larry. Herbert remained an active partner in the venture until 1995. He continued ranching for over a decade on the homeplace and on the leased properties outside of Mason with son James.

Deer hunting was something Herbert loved, enjoying many years of hunting in Colorado with all his buddies. He also caught many a fish, hunted many a quail, roped many a steer. The bounty from his hunting and fishing brought sausage-making and fish fries to the family gatherings. One of Paul's city friends thought of Herbert as his "John Wayne"! It wasn't surprising that he could also repair anything, as well as being an avid story teller with his wonderful memory that spanned the many years of his life. And no matter how busy he might be, attending hundreds of school events for his children and grandchildren was something he took time for and pride in.

What a legacy Herbert left! Affectionately, he was called Dad, Pops, and Popsie by his family. He will always be remembered as a beloved husband, father and grandfather with an unwavering devotion to his family, his friends, his church, and to the land. Herbert was preceded in death by his wife, Elvie; son, Paul, of Washington, D.C.; sister Florence Donop Bauer and husband Elroy; brother Raymon Donop and wife Helen Tatsch Donop; sister-in-law Helen Luckenbach Donop; and brother-in-law R.C. Zesch and wife Mildred Heimann Zesch;

His steadfast, hard-working nature are attributes that will forever be appreciated by all of his children: his daughter Trudy Donop Schmidt and husband Tim of Mason; his son Larry and wife Jan of Brady; his son James and wife Tina of Mason.

Memories of "Pops/Popsie's" stories and the times spent at their grandparents' home will continue to bring smiles to his grandchildren: Jeff Schmidt and wife T.J. of Mason; Jim Bill Schmidt and wife Shanda of Mason; Dawn Donop Mays and husband Michael of Georgetown; Lauri Donop Evans and husband Ray of College Station; Carrie Donop Watson and husband Matthew of Lockhart; Jordan Donop and fiancé Christopher Todd of College Station; Jill Donop and fiancé William Bowman and John Donop of Lubbock; and Cloe Doege of Mason. His strong German legacy will continue to live on through his great-grandchildren Haylie, Lanie and Tyler Schmidt; Ty and Tate Spencer and Leah Schmidt; Mason, Caitlin and Reid Mays; and Jacob, Audrey, Oliver and Lucy Evans.

Herbert is also survived by his brother Nolan Donop of Lubbock and numerous nieces and nephews who will always recall many family gatherings at "Uncle Herbert's".

The family would like to thank Pastor Fred Krebs for a servant's heart that has so lovingly and frequently reached out and offered support to Herbert and Elvie through his phone calls, visits, and Facetime chats. Our appreciation also goes out to the many volunteers of Meals on Wheels for not only the meals, but also the extra time they spent in visiting with Herbert; to Jana Hayley and all the home health nurses who, with their extra dose of care, regularly monitored and attended to his needs; to the individuals at Mason Funeral Home for their time and careful attention in preparation of Herbert's funeral arrangements; and to the caregivers at Knopp Nursing Center in Fredericksburg who became like family for Herbert during the time of Covid-19 restrictions when family could not be present.

Mr. Donop will lie in state from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Mason Funeral Home on Friday, May 22, 2020. Due to Covid-19 concerns, we request that social distancing be practiced.

Private family burial will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2020.

In lieu of flowers and in remembrance of Herbert, individuals may donate to the St. Paul Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 226, Mason, TX 76856 or the Mason County Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 1337, Mason, TX 76856.

The date and time for a public memorial service and visitation will be announced later.