Donnie Orval Taylor of Norman, Oklahoma, was called Home to Heaven on January 21, 2023, at the age of 92. Don was born in Chandler, Oklahoma, on September 9, 1931, the son of Dempsey Jordan Taylor and Maggie Esther (Stidham) Taylor. Born into a farming family, Don began working on the farm at an early age, attending school through the eighth grade. He married the love of his life, Margaret, on August 2, 1953, and together they had two wonderful children, Gary, and Debbie.
Don eventually went back to school, taking night classes and earning his GED. Wanting to put his natural mechanical aptitude to use, he went on to learn HVAC, heating and air, and large appliance repair. Don also served in the United States Army as a young man. Stationed in Alaska, he proudly served his country, receiving an honorable discharge for services rendered when called upon to do so. He went on to have a lengthy and rewarding career, working for Montgomery Ward, Sears, the City of Shawnee, and retiring from General Motors after 20 years of dedicated service. As the one-time owner and operator of Don's Appliance, he would help anyone in need of repairs, even if they couldn't afford to pay him.
Don was a giant of a man. With his larger-than-life presence, he was the kind of person who was loved by everyone. He was warm, strong, kind and generous, with a gentle and loving heart. Don could truly fix anything. He enjoyed admiring and maintaining his koi ponds, and he loved piddling and tinkering with things nobody else wanted to try and fix. He loved the Lord, praying and reading his Bible often, and he also enjoyed reading Zane Grey books and watching old westerns.
Most of all, Don was a hard worker who always provided for his family. He cherished those he loved, and the memories they made together over the years were held very dear. Don and Margaret loved going to Branson, taking cruises, and going out to dinner at their favorite places. He adored taking Gary and Debbie on vacations – everything from the mountains to the beach, visiting historical sites, and camping. He was so proud to be their dad. His grandson, Brandon, was his ultimate pride and joy. Thanks to his "Papa", Brandon knew the name of every tool in the garage by the age of 2. His devotion to our Lord and Savior, and his love for his family, his country, and his fellow man will never be forgotten. Don was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He will be very deeply missed.
He is preceded in death by his son, Gary Don Taylor, brothers Roy Taylor, and C.L. Taylor, and sisters Gracie Thronesberry, and Dorothy Wakley.
Don eventually went back to school, taking night classes and earning his GED. Wanting to put his natural mechanical aptitude to use, he went on to learn HVAC, heating and air, and large appliance repair. Don also served in the United States Army as a young man. Stationed in Alaska, he proudly served his country, receiving an honorable discharge for services rendered when called upon to do so. He went on to have a lengthy and rewarding career, working for Montgomery Ward, Sears, the City of Shawnee, and retiring from General Motors after 20 years of dedicated service. As the one-time owner and operator of Don's Appliance, he would help anyone in need of repairs, even if they couldn't afford to pay him.
Don was a giant of a man. With his larger-than-life presence, he was the kind of person who was loved by everyone. He was warm, strong, kind and generous, with a gentle and loving heart. Don could truly fix anything. He enjoyed admiring and maintaining his koi ponds, and he loved piddling and tinkering with things nobody else wanted to try and fix. He loved the Lord, praying and reading his Bible often, and he also enjoyed reading Zane Grey books and watching old westerns.
Most of all, Don was a hard worker who always provided for his family. He cherished those he loved, and the memories they made together over the years were held very dear. Don and Margaret loved going to Branson, taking cruises, and going out to dinner at their favorite places. He adored taking Gary and Debbie on vacations – everything from the mountains to the beach, visiting historical sites, and camping. He was so proud to be their dad. His grandson, Brandon, was his ultimate pride and joy. Thanks to his "Papa", Brandon knew the name of every tool in the garage by the age of 2. His devotion to our Lord and Savior, and his love for his family, his country, and his fellow man will never be forgotten. Don was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He will be very deeply missed.
He is preceded in death by his son, Gary Don Taylor, brothers Roy Taylor, and C.L. Taylor, and sisters Gracie Thronesberry, and Dorothy Wakley.
Donnie Orval Taylor of Norman, Oklahoma, was called Home to Heaven on January 21, 2023, at the age of 92. Don was born in Chandler, Oklahoma, on September 9, 1931, the son of Dempsey Jordan Taylor and Maggie Esther (Stidham) Taylor. Born into a farming family, Don began working on the farm at an early age, attending school through the eighth grade. He married the love of his life, Margaret, on August 2, 1953, and together they had two wonderful children, Gary, and Debbie.
Don eventually went back to school, taking night classes and earning his GED. Wanting to put his natural mechanical aptitude to use, he went on to learn HVAC, heating and air, and large appliance repair. Don also served in the United States Army as a young man. Stationed in Alaska, he proudly served his country, receiving an honorable discharge for services rendered when called upon to do so. He went on to have a lengthy and rewarding career, working for Montgomery Ward, Sears, the City of Shawnee, and retiring from General Motors after 20 years of dedicated service. As the one-time owner and operator of Don's Appliance, he would help anyone in need of repairs, even if they couldn't afford to pay him.
Don was a giant of a man. With his larger-than-life presence, he was the kind of person who was loved by everyone. He was warm, strong, kind and generous, with a gentle and loving heart. Don could truly fix anything. He enjoyed admiring and maintaining his koi ponds, and he loved piddling and tinkering with things nobody else wanted to try and fix. He loved the Lord, praying and reading his Bible often, and he also enjoyed reading Zane Grey books and watching old westerns.
Most of all, Don was a hard worker who always provided for his family. He cherished those he loved, and the memories they made together over the years were held very dear. Don and Margaret loved going to Branson, taking cruises, and going out to dinner at their favorite places. He adored taking Gary and Debbie on vacations – everything from the mountains to the beach, visiting historical sites, and camping. He was so proud to be their dad. His grandson, Brandon, was his ultimate pride and joy. Thanks to his "Papa", Brandon knew the name of every tool in the garage by the age of 2. His devotion to our Lord and Savior, and his love for his family, his country, and his fellow man will never be forgotten. Don was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He will be very deeply missed.
He is preceded in death by his son, Gary Don Taylor, brothers Roy Taylor, and C.L. Taylor, and sisters Gracie Thronesberry, and Dorothy Wakley.
Don eventually went back to school, taking night classes and earning his GED. Wanting to put his natural mechanical aptitude to use, he went on to learn HVAC, heating and air, and large appliance repair. Don also served in the United States Army as a young man. Stationed in Alaska, he proudly served his country, receiving an honorable discharge for services rendered when called upon to do so. He went on to have a lengthy and rewarding career, working for Montgomery Ward, Sears, the City of Shawnee, and retiring from General Motors after 20 years of dedicated service. As the one-time owner and operator of Don's Appliance, he would help anyone in need of repairs, even if they couldn't afford to pay him.
Don was a giant of a man. With his larger-than-life presence, he was the kind of person who was loved by everyone. He was warm, strong, kind and generous, with a gentle and loving heart. Don could truly fix anything. He enjoyed admiring and maintaining his koi ponds, and he loved piddling and tinkering with things nobody else wanted to try and fix. He loved the Lord, praying and reading his Bible often, and he also enjoyed reading Zane Grey books and watching old westerns.
Most of all, Don was a hard worker who always provided for his family. He cherished those he loved, and the memories they made together over the years were held very dear. Don and Margaret loved going to Branson, taking cruises, and going out to dinner at their favorite places. He adored taking Gary and Debbie on vacations – everything from the mountains to the beach, visiting historical sites, and camping. He was so proud to be their dad. His grandson, Brandon, was his ultimate pride and joy. Thanks to his "Papa", Brandon knew the name of every tool in the garage by the age of 2. His devotion to our Lord and Savior, and his love for his family, his country, and his fellow man will never be forgotten. Don was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He will be very deeply missed.
He is preceded in death by his son, Gary Don Taylor, brothers Roy Taylor, and C.L. Taylor, and sisters Gracie Thronesberry, and Dorothy Wakley.
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