Donald Dee Walford

Donald Dee Walford was born May 24, 1936, in Hamilton, Kansas, to Clyde David Walford and Marie Austin Walford. He died Monday, April 13, 2026, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 89 years. Don completed his secondary education in Ellinwood, Kansas, and was a graduate of Ellinwood High School. He was married may 8, 1960, in Ellinwood to Evelyn Hagen. They made their first home in Kansas then moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma for about 13 years. In 1975 they made Owasso their home. Don worked in the oil industry performing every job imaginable beginning at age 16 until he retired at age 74, after operating a company in Tulsa which produced wellhead components. He truly enjoyed not just the job, but also his contact with clients, employees, sales representatives, and all that entailed. Most of his knowledge and skills were self-taught. In the early years of his marriage to Evelyn, they participated in a square dance club and bowled in a bowling league. They were very supportive of their children in their activities and many sporting events. Don enjoyed playing cards with his friends and especially looked forward to trips to Ellinwood to play pitch with his mom. One of Don’s favorite hobbies was woodworking, designing and building with all materials. During his lifetime he designed and built many items of which the family still owns today, but not limited to a barbecue, bicycles, desks, go-carts, and even two large shops on their property. Starting in his early 40’s, Don enjoyed collecting coins, going to gunshows and ranges, and traveling about with his longtime friend Neal to car shows and swap meets. He had a longstanding passion for cars and particularly hot rods. In the late 1970’s, he drove home a 1939 Chevy, completely disassembled it, and rebuilt it with old new stock from the frame up. It became his pride and joy. When time allowed, Don fished with his good friend Jim, and enjoyed trying out new rods and reels. Don liked to travel around the states and even overseas with his wife, daughter Janet, son-in-law Jimmy, and grandchildren Josslyn, Jarrod, and Justin, as well as other longtime friends. He and Evelyn took in movies nearly every week and enjoyed meals out with family and friends. Don and Evelyn saw well over 40 major entertainers in concerts. Needless to say, he enjoyed a wide genre of music. Don was a strong man of faith and was member of Bethel Baptist Church in Owasso for nearly 45 years. They have many fond memories of worshipping there, Bible classes, activities, and a love for their church family. Those he leaves behind who hold a lifetime of memories include his wife of almost 65 years, Evelyn Walford; son, Duane Walford and Shirley; daughter, Janet Green and husband Jimmy, and beloved granddog, Buddy; granddaughter, Josslyn Fredricks and husband Brennan, and their children, great granddaughter, Jillian, and great grandson, Jack; grandsons, Jarrod Green and Justin Green; brother in law, Richard Hagen; sister in law Virginia and husband Dr. Larry Gaughan; nieces and nephews, Debbie Panning and husband Marvin, Diana Jackson and husband Dennis, Brian Schartz and wife Sharon, Gary Schartz and wife Kim, Brenda Tucker and husband Jimbo, Angela Clingly and husband James, and two sweet littles, Dr. Mike Gaughan and wife Laura, Debbie Gaughan Donavan and husband John, Paula Schmidt and husband Brian, Dr. Mark Gaughan and wife Kelly, Patrick Gaughan and wife Lori. He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Marie Walford, sister, Patricia (Pat) Schartz, and brother-in-law, Raymond (Jr.) Schartz. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 18, 2026, at Bethel Baptist Church in Owasso with Pastor Bill Ascol officiating. Serving as casket bearers will be Jarrod Green, Justin Green, Brennan Fredricks, Barry Morgan, Kurt Moran, and Norman Hare. Committal service and interment will follow at Graceland Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions be made in Don’s memory to The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, or at www.stjude.org. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com

Donald Dee Walford

May 24, 1936 - April 13, 2026