On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Donald Wayne McDonald, 86, passed peacefully from this life in Durant, Okla. Wayne was born in Yarnaby, Okla., on February 3, 1937, to Johnny and Ettie McDonald.
Wayne served in the US Army, spending 13 months of his service in Korea. If you knew Wayne, you knew that he was a big sports fan. He loved all sports. You could see him and his wife in the stands at local high school tournaments, and the local university games, and he watched sports on the television at home when he took a few minutes to relax. His favorite team to watch was OU football and softball and he loved the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers. He played fast-pitch softball for most of his life. He participated in softball teams until he was 80. He made a name for himself by being a fast-pitch pitcher until he was in his forties. He won trophies for sportsmanship and batting in San Antonio, competing against 64 teams. His sons played sports throughout their childhood and Wayne was on the sidelines, coaching and cheering them on. He often watched his boys play for SOSU, Steve on the baseball team and John on the football team. One of his favorite things to do was compete against Louise in March Madness every year, with the winner being treated to a free dinner by the loser.
Wayne married the love of his life, Louise (Culbreath) McDonald, on December 29, 1962, at Lee Heights Baptist Church in Durant, Okla., celebrating over 60 years of wedded bliss.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Ettie McDonald, of Achille, Okla.; birth mother, Tommie Ion Kennedy of Omaha, Texas; sister, Odella Hodges of Omaha, Texas; brothers, Leon McDonald of Achille, Okla., Clyde, Ogean, and Richard McDonald of Brawley Calif., and Daniel Ray Kennedy of Cour D’lane, Idaho.
He is survived by his wife of the home, Louise (Culbreath) McDonald; sons, Steve McDonald, and wife Lori, of Oklahoma City, and John McDonald of Roanoke, Texs; grandchildren Tyler McDonald, and wife Katelyn, of Mustang, Okla., Madison Pyle, and husband, Alex, of Oklahoma City, Okla., Harleigh McDonald and partner Justin Moore, of Euless, Texas, and Hannah McDonald, of Aspen, Colo.; and the apple of his eye, great-grandson, Cooper Wayne McDonald, of Mustang, Okla.; sister Glenda Hamby of Paradise, Texas, and sister-in-law, Mary McDonald, of Achille, Okla.; Goddaughter, Lexi Bean of Midlothian, Texas; He is also survived by a ‘bonus’ daughter, Kedra Armstrong, of McKinney, Texas.
Services celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, in Durant, Okla. with visitation at 1 p.m. and the service at 2 p.m. Officiating the ceremonies will be Evan Rowland and the Eulogy will be read by a special friend, Ron Harris. Pallbearers are David McDonald, Jim Culbreath, Cheyenne Graham, Matt Skinner, Robert Valgren, Keith Hamby and Ricki Hodges. Honorary pallbearers are Walter Mead, and Jacki Mead. There will be a graveside service at Highland Cemetery, following the funeral.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, 121 N. Fifth Ave. in Durant.
www.holmescoffeymurray.com