Dora Grider of Colleyville, Texas passed away peacefully on August 4, 2020 at the age of 74 after a decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis. Full of life and determination, she was a loving wife and mother who brought inspiration to countless numbers of people. She had an amazing ability to light up a room with fun, laughter, and spontaneity.
Born in San Antonio to Emery George Friedman and Elda Garcia Friedman, Dora developed a spirited love for travel at an early age. As a daughter of a Gulf Oil Company field engineer, she and her family lived on American bases in Tampico, Mexico and Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela on the Caribbean Sea before moving to Houston when she was 12. Intelligent, vivacious, and persistent, she balanced academic success with involvement in a number of organizations and clubs, including winning places as a cheerleader in every school she attended, all the way from junior high to Bellaire High School to the University of Houston. At U of H, she met a basketball star, Gary, who would become the love of her life. They were married on September 2, 1966, beginning a love affair lasting more than 54 years.
Dora’s financial and entrepreneurial acumen was impressive. She launched a number of successful businesses and was a leading executive at firms such as Shearson Lehman, American Express, and Chase Manhattan as part of an accomplished career in real estate and mortgage. Dora was owner and president of MBA, a Dallas-Fort Worth mortgage banking firm until her retirement. She and Gary were members of Cross City Church in Euless, Texas and involved in numerous community and civic organizations.
Though stricken with multiple sclerosis as a young adult, Dora was a fighter who refused to be limited by physical challenges. She possessed an uncanny fortitude to compete, to keep going, and to win no matter the obstacles. She loved cruises, sports, gardening, dancing, cooking, and trying new hobbies. Her love of Christ and other people shone through consistently. Whenever she’d hear of others’ diagnoses or struggles, she was quick to their side to provide empathy, encouragement, and often great food. She never gave up and graciously and directly exhorted others to live out the same perseverance.
Dora is survived by her husband Gary, her children Clint (Kindra) and Dena, her brother Bud (Susan), her sister Gerry, and her grandchildren Teddy (Josie), Kayln (Carter), Tiffany, Camryn, and Amelia.
A private family funeral will be followed by internment at Bear Creek Cemetery in Euless, Texas. Memorial donations may be made to the Faith Presbyterian Hospice Caring Fund, 12477 Merit Drive, Dallas, Texas.
In Memoriam