Don Max Vars, 86, of Canyon, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2024. Memorial services will be at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, November 1, 2024 at the First Baptist Church of Canyon with Rev. Bryan Houser officiating. Private burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.

Don Max was born July 17, 1938 in Tulia, Texas. The Swisher County Picnic was in full swing that day in spite of the heavy rain that was falling. These were Don Max’s two favorite events, the Picnic and a good rain. His parents were John Stanley and Olga Samantha (McGlaun) Vars. His brother, Jay Gerald Vars (survived by Marcy and family) preceded him in death. He grew up on the family farm attending and graduating from Tulia High School, serving as the president of the student body. In athletics, football, basketball and track he was known as ’Smiley.’

He attended Texas Tech University following high school graduation with membership in Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity and social fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. He earned a degree in Business Administration and Finance. After graduation he worked for the US Treasury as a National Bank Examiner assigned to Lubbock. In June of 1962, he married his college sweetheart, Lila Buske, from Friona, Texas. He was transferred to Amarillo as the Head Examiner in 1963 and shortly after, took a position in the First National Bank of Canyon. He and Lila have resided in Canyon since 1964. They immediately became involved in the community by first joining the First Baptist Church. They served together working primarily with young married adults. He was ordained a deacon and became a trustee, a position he still holds.

His involvement in the community continued as he served the Canyon Lions Club as president and as a District Governor. He was a past President of the Panhandle Plains Historical Society, served on the board of the Texas Heritage Foundation, and was Treasurer and investment officer of Partners in Palo Duro since its inception. He served on the High Plains Baptist Hospital Board and later the Baptist St. Anthony’s (BSA) board. He enjoyed his time serving on the board of Baptist Christian Ministries and was also currently the treasurer of Amarillo Area Baptist Association.

Don Max and Lila Gay were married 62 years, and he was very proud of his two daughters. Mayla Vars Paris and her husband, Kyle live in Amarillo. They are the parents of Colt Paris of Canyon, Creed Paris of Amarillo, and Cutter Paris of College Station. Colt is married to Catie, and they have two children, Rollins and Ramsi, with a third, Rye, due on November 29. Creed is married to Lauren, and they have Abel, Haddon, and Brooklyn. Cutter’s wife is Halie and their children are Morgan, Briar and Britton.

Misty Vars Evans and her husband, Gary live in Bluffton, South Carolina. They are the parents of Brett Evans Davis, Sophie Evans, and Emma Sloane Evans. Brett lives in Scottsdale Arizona with her husband CJ Davis, and they have one son, Baker. Sophie also lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. Emma Sloane is in school at the University of Georgia. All the grandchildren and great grandchildren lovingly called Don Max ‘Grand.’

Don Max always enjoyed playing bridge with Lila’s sisters and their husbands OR anyone else who was willing to take time to sit down and play. He and Lila were in a local dinner bridge club for 30 years. For years he served as treasurer of the Wheat Empire Investment. If you knew him well, you know his life was one of commitment. If he ever said he would do something he almost always stayed until the end. He loved to watch the stock markets and spent a lot of his day doing just that.

Don Max loved people. He loved to visit with everyone and found each of you fascinating. He wanted to know about those he met. I’m sure that today he is getting to know some of the saints who have gone before him. He now has perfect eyesight, and he can hear everything they say. He is in heaven.

The family suggests that donations be made in Don Max’s name to Partners in Palo Duro Canyon Foundation, 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015 or the Lila Vars Scholarship Fund, WTAMU Box 60765, Canyon, TX 79016.