Palestine High School Alumni Association

Services for Don Hastings, 50, of Palestine, will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at Southside Baptist Church with Dr. Dwight Blankenship officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Park under the direction of Herrington/Land of Memory.

Mr. Hastings died Tuesday in a Tyler hospital following a lengthy illness.

He was born February 14, 1936 in Palestine, the son of William Benjamin and Grace Jenkins Hastings. He was a graduate of East Texas Baptist College and was owner of Hastings’ Knives.

Mr. Hastings was well known throughout the United States and the world as a master knifemaker. He was founder and secretary-treasurer of the American Bladesmith Society and was a member of the Knifemaker’s Guild for 15 years.

With an old-fashioned anvil and coal forge, Mr. Hastings made specialized Damascus steel knives using a process believed to have been developed by the Vikings.

He often exhibited his work at craft shows, where adults and children alike would gather around his forge to see his knives being created. Mr. Hastings also demonstrated his bladesmith skills to the public last spring at his downtown shop during the Texas Dogwood Trails celebration.

He was a deacon at Southside Baptist Church. Mr. Hastings also served as music and youth director at Southside, Elkhart and Emanuel Baptist churches as well as at other Baptist churches.

He was preceded in death by his father, who died last year.

Survivors include his wife, Jean; daughters, Melissa Herring and Rebecca Hastings, both of Palestine, and Betsy Hastings of Lancaster; his mother of Palestine and one granddaughter, Blythe Herrin of Palestine.

The family will receive condolence calls from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Wilson Dew, Jim Steadman, Lee Vickery, Dwayne Parrish, Jerry Calhoon and Ralph Brown.

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 09-17-1986