Dalton Riley Donica died Friday, July 16th, 2010, on his property near his home in Zafra, OK. Mr. Donica is survived by his wife, and their four children,17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Born to William Valentine Donica and LeDema "Dema" Isom on April 19th, 1933, in the community of Fewell, Oklahoma, (now part of Nashoba, OK), Riley was the eldest of four children.
Riley Donica left his native Kiamichi Mountains in the fall of 1950 to attend Dallas Christian College. (He was one of the first graduates of this college) Upon obtaining his degree in Pastoral Ministry, he returned, with his wife and two daughters, in December 1957 to serve, under the auspices of the Kiamichi Mountain Christian Mission, the Zafra Church of Christ, Zafra, OK, where he ministered for over 52 years. He also established and led the Panther Creek Church of Christ in Brushy Ridge, OK. Due to the violent murder of his father, Bill Donica, and later, his step-father, Tex Prior, Riley's efforts throughout the 1960s were focused on the abolition of violent crime in the Mountain communities. In 1982, Mr. Donica founded The Nations' Ministries, an organization devoted to caring for those in need throughout the territory.
Influenced by his mother, a mountain school teacher, Riley grew up with a thirst for knowledge and was widely read in the fields of history, geography, literature, politics and religion. His cowboy father instilled in him a love of the land, horses, cattle, guns and freedom. The combination of these two individuals created a unique man who became internationally known for his colorful story-telling and speaking abilities. His fearless, ebullient spirit engaged political leaders with the issues of his day. He received audiences with heads of state and officials from the U.S. State Department. In 1978, Riley ran for United States Senate as an Independent candidate, desiring to shape the debate and influence the policies of his opponents through his efforts in the arena of ideas.
Riley Donica was a singular individual, who loved his mountain homeland and its people. From the stage of a small rock church-house in an oft-forgotten village, he helped raise up generations of leaders whose influences spreads throughout the world. He guided the growth of educators, musicians, writers, counselors, and missionaries. Their work and achievements flow directly from the well-spring of Riley Donica's life. For the thousands of people whose lives he touched, there will never be another who so boldly showed the power of one man to make a difference. He was a friend to all, and his heart was that of a servant ' one whose efforts were the outflow of a soul devoted to God and committed to be a student, and thus a healer, of the human spirit. 'I am poured out as a final drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand.'
Funeral will be officiated by Ben Merold, Minister at Harvester Christian Church, St. Charles, MO, in conjunction with Joe Wilson of Church Growth Ministries, Enid Oklahoma.
Information obtained from: tributes.com
Born to William Valentine Donica and LeDema "Dema" Isom on April 19th, 1933, in the community of Fewell, Oklahoma, (now part of Nashoba, OK), Riley was the eldest of four children.
Riley Donica left his native Kiamichi Mountains in the fall of 1950 to attend Dallas Christian College. (He was one of the first graduates of this college) Upon obtaining his degree in Pastoral Ministry, he returned, with his wife and two daughters, in December 1957 to serve, under the auspices of the Kiamichi Mountain Christian Mission, the Zafra Church of Christ, Zafra, OK, where he ministered for over 52 years. He also established and led the Panther Creek Church of Christ in Brushy Ridge, OK. Due to the violent murder of his father, Bill Donica, and later, his step-father, Tex Prior, Riley's efforts throughout the 1960s were focused on the abolition of violent crime in the Mountain communities. In 1982, Mr. Donica founded The Nations' Ministries, an organization devoted to caring for those in need throughout the territory.
Influenced by his mother, a mountain school teacher, Riley grew up with a thirst for knowledge and was widely read in the fields of history, geography, literature, politics and religion. His cowboy father instilled in him a love of the land, horses, cattle, guns and freedom. The combination of these two individuals created a unique man who became internationally known for his colorful story-telling and speaking abilities. His fearless, ebullient spirit engaged political leaders with the issues of his day. He received audiences with heads of state and officials from the U.S. State Department. In 1978, Riley ran for United States Senate as an Independent candidate, desiring to shape the debate and influence the policies of his opponents through his efforts in the arena of ideas.
Riley Donica was a singular individual, who loved his mountain homeland and its people. From the stage of a small rock church-house in an oft-forgotten village, he helped raise up generations of leaders whose influences spreads throughout the world. He guided the growth of educators, musicians, writers, counselors, and missionaries. Their work and achievements flow directly from the well-spring of Riley Donica's life. For the thousands of people whose lives he touched, there will never be another who so boldly showed the power of one man to make a difference. He was a friend to all, and his heart was that of a servant ' one whose efforts were the outflow of a soul devoted to God and committed to be a student, and thus a healer, of the human spirit. 'I am poured out as a final drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand.'
Funeral will be officiated by Ben Merold, Minister at Harvester Christian Church, St. Charles, MO, in conjunction with Joe Wilson of Church Growth Ministries, Enid Oklahoma.
Information obtained from: tributes.com
Dalton Riley Donica died Friday, July 16th, 2010, on his property near his home in Zafra, OK. Mr. Donica is survived by his wife, and their four children,17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Born to William Valentine Donica and LeDema "Dema" Isom on April 19th, 1933, in the community of Fewell, Oklahoma, (now part of Nashoba, OK), Riley was the eldest of four children.
Riley Donica left his native Kiamichi Mountains in the fall of 1950 to attend Dallas Christian College. (He was one of the first graduates of this college) Upon obtaining his degree in Pastoral Ministry, he returned, with his wife and two daughters, in December 1957 to serve, under the auspices of the Kiamichi Mountain Christian Mission, the Zafra Church of Christ, Zafra, OK, where he ministered for over 52 years. He also established and led the Panther Creek Church of Christ in Brushy Ridge, OK. Due to the violent murder of his father, Bill Donica, and later, his step-father, Tex Prior, Riley's efforts throughout the 1960s were focused on the abolition of violent crime in the Mountain communities. In 1982, Mr. Donica founded The Nations' Ministries, an organization devoted to caring for those in need throughout the territory.
Influenced by his mother, a mountain school teacher, Riley grew up with a thirst for knowledge and was widely read in the fields of history, geography, literature, politics and religion. His cowboy father instilled in him a love of the land, horses, cattle, guns and freedom. The combination of these two individuals created a unique man who became internationally known for his colorful story-telling and speaking abilities. His fearless, ebullient spirit engaged political leaders with the issues of his day. He received audiences with heads of state and officials from the U.S. State Department. In 1978, Riley ran for United States Senate as an Independent candidate, desiring to shape the debate and influence the policies of his opponents through his efforts in the arena of ideas.
Riley Donica was a singular individual, who loved his mountain homeland and its people. From the stage of a small rock church-house in an oft-forgotten village, he helped raise up generations of leaders whose influences spreads throughout the world. He guided the growth of educators, musicians, writers, counselors, and missionaries. Their work and achievements flow directly from the well-spring of Riley Donica's life. For the thousands of people whose lives he touched, there will never be another who so boldly showed the power of one man to make a difference. He was a friend to all, and his heart was that of a servant ' one whose efforts were the outflow of a soul devoted to God and committed to be a student, and thus a healer, of the human spirit. 'I am poured out as a final drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand.'
Funeral will be officiated by Ben Merold, Minister at Harvester Christian Church, St. Charles, MO, in conjunction with Joe Wilson of Church Growth Ministries, Enid Oklahoma.
Information obtained from: tributes.com
Born to William Valentine Donica and LeDema "Dema" Isom on April 19th, 1933, in the community of Fewell, Oklahoma, (now part of Nashoba, OK), Riley was the eldest of four children.
Riley Donica left his native Kiamichi Mountains in the fall of 1950 to attend Dallas Christian College. (He was one of the first graduates of this college) Upon obtaining his degree in Pastoral Ministry, he returned, with his wife and two daughters, in December 1957 to serve, under the auspices of the Kiamichi Mountain Christian Mission, the Zafra Church of Christ, Zafra, OK, where he ministered for over 52 years. He also established and led the Panther Creek Church of Christ in Brushy Ridge, OK. Due to the violent murder of his father, Bill Donica, and later, his step-father, Tex Prior, Riley's efforts throughout the 1960s were focused on the abolition of violent crime in the Mountain communities. In 1982, Mr. Donica founded The Nations' Ministries, an organization devoted to caring for those in need throughout the territory.
Influenced by his mother, a mountain school teacher, Riley grew up with a thirst for knowledge and was widely read in the fields of history, geography, literature, politics and religion. His cowboy father instilled in him a love of the land, horses, cattle, guns and freedom. The combination of these two individuals created a unique man who became internationally known for his colorful story-telling and speaking abilities. His fearless, ebullient spirit engaged political leaders with the issues of his day. He received audiences with heads of state and officials from the U.S. State Department. In 1978, Riley ran for United States Senate as an Independent candidate, desiring to shape the debate and influence the policies of his opponents through his efforts in the arena of ideas.
Riley Donica was a singular individual, who loved his mountain homeland and its people. From the stage of a small rock church-house in an oft-forgotten village, he helped raise up generations of leaders whose influences spreads throughout the world. He guided the growth of educators, musicians, writers, counselors, and missionaries. Their work and achievements flow directly from the well-spring of Riley Donica's life. For the thousands of people whose lives he touched, there will never be another who so boldly showed the power of one man to make a difference. He was a friend to all, and his heart was that of a servant ' one whose efforts were the outflow of a soul devoted to God and committed to be a student, and thus a healer, of the human spirit. 'I am poured out as a final drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand.'
Funeral will be officiated by Ben Merold, Minister at Harvester Christian Church, St. Charles, MO, in conjunction with Joe Wilson of Church Growth Ministries, Enid Oklahoma.
Information obtained from: tributes.com
Inscription
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: Because as He is, so are we in this world. I John 4:17
