Houston Donald Tolbert Jr., 79, passed away at Peak Resources on November 21, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 15, 1946 in Gastonia, North Carolina, and was a son of the late Houston Donald Tolbert Sr. and Inell Lewis Tolbert.

Don was a 1964 graduate of Ashley High School and was a member of the Army National Guard for 6 years, based at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He loved God and his family with a strong dedication. Don was a lifelong member of Loray Baptist Church where he served in many capacities through the years. He was on the original board that started the Loray Girls' Home. He was always saying he "just loved people". Everyone who ever knew him had a "Don story". One thing that was never experienced while living with Don was boredom. In his younger days, he loved to fly a plane. He and Cathy spent a lot of time, while dating, flying off somewhere for lunch or dinner and back. He enjoyed scuba diving and had his certification. In years past, he and Cathy belonged to 3 dance clubs at one time. Each dance at the end of the evening would end in Don leading the Conga line, waving his arm in the air and whistling very loudly. He was in the Indian Guides with his two sons and was the Nation Chief. He worked at Tindol Ford for over 30 years and while there, was a member of the Society of Professional Sales Counselors. His philosophy was that he didn't want to sell (a) man a car. He wanted to sell that man many cars and sell to all of his friends and relatives and you couldn't do that and tell a man a lie. Don was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #369 in Gastonia, The Gaston Shrine Club, Oasis Shrine Club, and the Masonic York Rite Bodies.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Cathy Canipe Tolbert; sons and daughters-in-law, Christopher Conrad Tolbert "Chris" and Lila Tolbert, Houston Donald Tolbert, III "Trey" and Runa; brother, Michael Steve Tolbert and wife, Karen; grandchildren who knew him as Papa, Houston Donald Tolbert, IV, Cecelia "Ceci" Ann Tolbert, Phillip Andrew Tolbert, William Conrad Tolbert and wife Ashlyn, Sarah Elizabeth Tolbert; and numerous special nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00pm, Sunday, November 30, 2025 at Loray Baptist Church with Reverend Fain Farmer officiating. Interment will follow in Gaston Memorial Park with Masonic rites. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 12:30pm-1:45pm at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Children's Hospital, 950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605 or to Loray Baptist Church, 1128 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28052.

The family wishes to thank Peak Resources for their loving care to "Papa"

Condolence messages may be sent online at mcleanfuneral.com. McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the Tolbert family.