Donald Eckels

November 25, 1931 - February 15, 2008

Donald Lee, son of May Rose (Tucker) and Marvin Silas Eckels was born on the farm 19 miles west of Alva in the Whitehorse area on November 25, 1931. He passed away suddenly in the E.R at the Alva Share Medical Center on the 15th of February at the age of 76 years, 3 months and 18 days. He attended the Whitehorse Rural Grade School and graduated from the Farry High School with the Class of 1949. In 1950 he joined the army and was discharged in 1954. On April 1, 1955 he was married to Suzetta Marie Hada at Woodward, Oklahoma. To their marriage four children, Douglas, Duane, Jackie and DeAnna were born. Following their marriage they lived in Alva and he attended Northwestern State College and received a BS Degree in Industrial Arts on May 29, 1959. He started teaching at Englewood, Cullison and Cimarron High Schools in Kansas. In 1968 they returned to Alva and started farming and ranching. He also custom wheat harvested for over 40 years, starting in Texas and all the way into Canada. He farmed the Royer place since he was 16 and was farming it until the time of his death. The last few years he hauled grain and enjoyed his family. Don served on the Alva School Board from 1979 until 1983. Mr. Eckels was preceded in death by his father on August 30, 1961, his mother on September 6, 1985, three sisters, Ruby Pfeffer, Edith Bratcher and Margaret Lewis and a brother Lester. Donald is survived by his children, Douglas and his wife Vicky of Woodward, Duane and his wife Verleta of Alva, OK. Jackie and her husband Allen Neal of West Monroe, LA. and DeAnna and her husband Chuck West of Blanchard, OK. Don is survived by a special friend, Louise Russell of Anadarko, OK nine grandchildren, Douglas Jr. and his wife Sara of Katy, TX. Kacie and her husband Michael Barnes of Woodward, OK Darren and Ashley Eckels of Woodward, Ok. Amber Eckels and Kelcy and her husband Nick Lyon all of Edmond, OK Dayton and Chandler Neal of West Monroe, LA. and Donald Ryan of Blanchard; OK and two great grandchildren, Kailey Barnes and Noah Eckels. A number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. PDF Printable Version