Donald Charles Soukup September 10, 1936 ~ April 28, 2026 (age 89)

Donald Charles Soukup passed away peacefully on April 28, 2026, at the age of 89. He was born in Chicago, IL on September 10, 1936 to Frank and Vlasta Zluticky Soukup and grew up in the suburbs of Chicago.

An avid outdoorsman, making the most of his younger days all over the Midwest, Don spent a lot of his time on the Fox River in Illinois. Whether it be in a duck blind, deer camp, ski or fishing boat, Don was the center of it all.

A gifted student athlete who excelled in the classroom and in football, swimming, and baseball, he graduated from Riverside-Brookfield High School. In 1954, at the age of 17, Don would go on to receive a football scholarship from Colorado College (CC) and move across the country with nothing more than a suitcase.

While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Banking, he was a four-year two-way starter for the Tigers football team at center and linebacker, also serving as a captain for two years. Don was a member and president of the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) Fraternity. He was named to the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity and made the Dean’s List.

His athletic achievements included being named to All Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams for three seasons. In his final season, in 1957, Don was named an All-American in football and was scouted by several NFL teams.

At CC, his life would change in more ways than one. He would begin his coaching journey, helping coach the swimming and football teams in the spring of his senior year. It was here also that he met the love of his life, Jolie Burt, from Canutillo, TX, and they married in 1959.

Relocating to the lower Mesilla Valley farm where Jolie was raised, he would enlist in the United States Army Reserves as they made a life together teaching, farming, and owning a Dairy Queen. They had three children over the next 20 years who were the lights in his life.

Don would teach and coach at Ysleta, Bel Air, Gadsden, and ultimately Anthony high schools, the latter of which he would serve as a principal and interim district superintendent. During this time, he earned a master’s degree in Educational Administration from New Mexico State University in 1973.

His teaching, coaching, and administrative duties would shape thousands of lives, whether through football, business class, or counseling sessions. He was highly respected by peers, parents, and students alike.

Upon retiring from education, Don turned his boundless energy to farming full time on his property in the Mesilla Valley at La Union, NM. It was on his farm outside of Anthony that the city boy learned how to grow various crops and started a herd of Hereford and Angus cattle.

He became a well-respected farmer in the region, being able to grow or raise anything. He was known for his wit, charm, and willingness to help others. Don’s experiences in the agricultural industry, along with business, teaching, and coaching roots, gave him the unique perspective to help others with invaluable guidance.

After losing Jolie to cancer, Don married Donna Johnson in 1998. The couple relocated to a beautiful ranch in Elk, NM on the Rio Penasco River. Don transformed the property and eagerly took on new ventures and projects. Known for his ever-present lists of things to do, Don was never one to sit still. He approached life with enthusiasm and hard work, always quick to make friends. His sense of humor brought laughter and light to everyone around him. His love for the land, soil, and cattle was where he was the happiest.

Don is survived by his sister, Barbara Sankey, children Kari-fran Hutchison (Walter), Molly Biel, and Oliver Soukup (Kristen). His grandchildren are Eric Musshorn (Emma), Whitney Blickem (Ryan), Kerrick Hutchison (Ashli), Tara Reese (Jordon), and Kooper, Chance, Mack and Tripp Soukup. His 10 great-grandchildren are Cason, Calli, Brynn, Audrey, Jolie, Liam, Nolan, Conor, Logan, and Declan.

Don’s three surviving cousins, Ken Urban, Bob Korbel, and Carol LeBreck, also held a special place in his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, and wives Jolie Burt and Donna Johnson Soukup.

A celebration of life for Don will be held at his ranch this summer.