Donald Fell Maierson

Donald Fell Maierson passed away Monday, March 4, 2024, at his “happy place”, Sky High Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas. He was surrounded by the hills of Central Texas, blooming bluebonnets, and most importantly his wife, Ruth. Don was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania on October 30, 1942, to Charles and Anne Maierson. In 1959, the family moved to Bellaire, Texas. Don attended Bellaire High School and graduated in 1960. After graduating high school, Don went on to college and graduated from the University of Houston in 1965 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics. Don was passionate about history, politics, and upholding democracy. It was during his undergraduate years at the University of Houston that he decided to become an attorney. As an attorney, he could commit to his strong belief that all people should be valued equally under the law. He attended the South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. After graduating law school top of his class in 1969, he became a defense attorney and practiced at Kahn and Maierson Law Firm. In 1980, he started The Maierson Law Firm, P.C. In the late 1980’s, Don had the opportunity to dedicate his skills as an attorney to another important issue just on the forefront of people’s awareness - the environment. He worked tirelessly for 5 years with numerous colleagues and clients to win one of the first class-action judgments against several large corporations. The judgment against these businesses was one of the first at the time to hold large corporations accountable for illegally dumping toxic waste into an area where individuals and wildlife lived, creating cancer clusters and birth defects. Don went on to be highly regarded and sought after as an expert in the United States that other attorneys could consult with for future class-action environmental lawsuits. In 2009, after practicing law for many years, Don decided to work only as a consulting attorney. This gave him more time to advocate for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Don served for 10+ years on the ADL’s Security Committee. He served 3+ years on the Committee of Law Enforcement, Extremism, and Anti-Semitism and was a mentor while on this committee. Most recently, he was honored to be appointed as Southwest Regional Board Chair for the ADL. Don’s biggest commitment in life was to his family. In 1967, at an Exxon gas station, while visiting a friend who worked there, Ruth Maierson walked in and that would be the beginning of a 56-year love affair. After marrying in 1970, they were blessed with 3 children: Shari, Mark, and Jeff Maierson. As the years progressed, Don happily added 2 daughters-in-law, Tabitha and Ngan, to the family. Don’s love shined brightest when he was surrounded by his grandchildren: Emma, Adam, Abigail, Winston, and Melanie. He was their “Proud Papa”. Don’s role as husband, dad, and papa will be greatly missed by his family, because of the unconditional love and support he gave to all of them through life’s ups and downs. Don also leaves behind his big brother, Allan Maierson, many brother and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Funeral services for Don was held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX 77074. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please donate to the Anti-Defamation League. Donations can be made in memory of Don Maierson online at adl.org/donate or at ADL, 4635 Southwest Freeway, Ste. 400, Houston, TX 77027

Donald Fell Maierson

October 30, 1942 - March 4, 2024