Donald Wilson was born in Hammon, Oklahoma on May 9, 1934 to parents Horace W. Wilson and Mabel Eunice Magill. He was one of six children, all who preceded him in death: Delbert Wilson, Treva Ray, Roy Wilson, Georgia Stout and Janada Wing. Donald went to walk the streets of gold with his Heavenly Father on November 9, 2020 at Hensley’s Nursing home in Sayre, Oklahoma. Donald graduated Hammon High School in 1952.
Donald worked as a construction engineer right out of high school in Montana and Wyoming with his brother-in-law Dan Ray. Donald joined the United States Army in August 1956 and proudly served till August of 1958. Donald was a PFC and a member of the military police.
Donald married Doris Jean Payne in February of 1957. Donald’s military base was in El Paso, Texas where they welcomed their first child Cheryl Jean Wilson. The family moved to Hammon Oklahoma in 1958 to the family farm. Donald went back to work in construction for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation building project that was then known as the Washita Basin Project. Donald always joked that he got to go to Foss Lake every day from 1959 to 1961. When this project was completed Donald’s, family had grown with the addition of Donna LaVon.
He worked construction for many years. With the addition of another girl Kelly Christine “Kristi” Donald wanted to be closer to home and not travel so far for construction jobs. He got a job working for Lee Gates on his dairy farm and worked there several years. Donald finally got his precious baby boy when Gregory Don was born in 1965. In 1970 Donald and Jean built a dairy barn on their farm. The purchased Holstein cows and produced milk for AMPI. The dairy business meant the four children never needed summer jobs and learned strong work ethics by getting chores done before school every day. When Donald semi-retired from the dairy he worked alongside his son Greg. From 1992 to 1997 they traveled all over the United States and enjoyed time together while hauling greyhounds’ dogs. Donald loved this time with his son.
Donald loved to play dominoes, cards and games. Many nights the family would play Monopoly into the night until it was time to “go milk” again in the morning. The unspoken rule was no one could touch the Monopoly board until chores were done and breakfast dishes were done. Donald loved to laugh and have a good time with his family. Donald loved his family and was an excellent provider and caregiver. His children were the especially important to him and he showed it. Along came grandchildren and Donald always managed to be there for births, birthday parties, graduations and important events. Donald especially loved when his grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to visit him in the nursing home.
Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Red Hill Cemetery, Hammon Oklahoma, Pastor Dolan Ivey will officiate. Interment will be held at Red Hill Cemetery, Hammon, Oklahoma. Services have been entrusted to the care of Richard and Tammy Dugger and the staff of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home in Elk City, Oklahoma.
Donald is survived by his children Donna Drinnon, Elk City, Kristi Hort, Oklahoma City and Greg and Anita Wilson of Hammon. Donald is survived by nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Donald was well known for his character, integrity, his intelligence, his love and commitment to his family. One of the last things he said was “I Love you very much and don’t you forget it” Donald was loved by all his family and count it a blessing for having him in their lives.
Donald later married Twinkle Pollard for seventeen years before she passed away.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife Doris Jean, daughter Cheryl Jean, sonin- law Richard Betchan, grandsons Jacob Betchan and Brian Betchan.
Memorials can be made to the Cancer Association or the Alzheimer’s Association in care of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home, P.O. Box 707, Elk City, Oklahoma 73648.
Online condolences can be sent to the family by using the online guest book at www.martin-duggerfuneralhome. com.
The family would like to invite all that cannot attend to watch the service live on Martin-Dugger Funeral Home Facebook page or on YouTube.