Donald O’Neal Lassetter was born in Newnan, Ga., on March 27, 1932 to the Rev. Cecil Reese Lassetter and Ollie Grizzard Lassetter.
Weighing in at a staggering 13 pounds and 14 ounces, Don started life making an impression. His family has always thought that the reason for his massive size at birth was to accommodate such a big heart.
Anyone who has ever known Don will tell you that, for someone with such an intimidating physical appearance, he was truly one of the kindest, caring souls they had ever met.
He was a gentle giant. As a child growing up in Newnan, he enjoyed a considerable size advantage over his peers. This size advantage and his natural athletic ability allowed him to excel at all sports. In high school, Don made all state in football, basketball and baseball. After graduating from Newnan High School in 1951, he played football for the University of Georgia and then for the University of Houston.
However, he is best known as a professional baseball player. After college, Don played professional baseball for the Triple A club Omaha Cardinals, where he hit 27 home runs and had 84 RBIs in a single season. He was called up to the major leagues by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1957, where he played first base and outfield.
After baseball, he began his career as an insurance adjuster with General Adjustment Bureau. This employment would ultimately bring him to Clarksdale, Miss., where he met Virginia Harris Fox. Virginia’s southern accent and southern charm swept him off of his feet and he was immediately smitten. Don and Virginia were married on December 11, 1974. Roy, Creed, and Ellen were blessed to have such a kind, humble man as their stepfather.
Don was an avid golfer well into his eighties. Just like all the other sports he played, he was a natural and often broke par. He was elected mayor of Lyon, Miss., for several terms. In 2005, he was inducted into the Coweta County Ga., Sports Hall of Fame.
Don and Virginia were active members of St. George’s Episcopal Church until their deaths. He was totally devoted to his wife, Virginia, and when she became ill later in life, he never left her side.
He is survived by his son, Lance Lassetter of New Orleans; and a niece, Ellen Lassetter Hulsey; three stepchildren, Dr. Roy Cecil Fox, Jr. of Memphis, Tenn. and his wife Dr. Teresa Otey Fox, Dr. Henry Creed Fox of Hattiesburg, Miss. and his wife Connie Fox, Ellen Fox Johnson and her husband, Charles G. Johnson of Jackson, Miss., six step-grandchildren, Virginia Fox Laakman, Caroline Fox King, Henry Creed Fox, Jr, Roy Cecil Fox, III, Margaux Alexandra Fox and Lauren Douglas Johnson.
He is predeceased by his wife, Virginia Fox Lassetter, father, Rev. Cecil Reese Lassetter, mother, Ollie Grizzard Lassetter, brother, Cecil Eugene Lassetter, and step granddaughter, Meredith Ashley Fox.
A Visitation will be held Feb. 10, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Georges Church in Clarksdale, Miss.. A memorial service will be held Feb. 10, 2024, at 11 a.m. at St Georges Church in Clarksdale with burial at Oakridge Cemetery, in Clarksdale. Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home in Clarksdale, is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. George’s Episcopal Church, 106 Sharkey Ave, Clarksdale, MS 38614.
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