Obituary for Donald Mayden

Ponca City Now - January 15, 2016 12:00 am

Donald Ray Mayden

(July 4, 1932 – January 15, 2016)

Donald Ray Mayden of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died early Friday morning, January 15, 2016 at his home at the age of 83 years.

Donald Ray Mayden was born on July 4, 1932, in Elkhart, Texas, to James Alfred and Levora (Rankin) Mayden. He grew up in various communities in Texas and Oklahoma and completed his education at Okmulgee High School in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Following his education he entered the United States Army on November 12, 1952, serving in the 90th Triple A Battalion where he was a sharpshooter and fired 90mm and 120mm guns. While in the military he married Shirley Mae Arnold on March 7, 1953, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and they settled at Ft. Bliss, Texas, where he was stationed. He was honorably discharged on November 11, 1954, and they moved to Blackwell where he began working for the Blackwell Zinc Company. In 1976 he began working as a concrete finisher helping to build Wal-Mart and Electron in Blackwell. Upon completion of these projects he operated his own concrete business for several years before his retirement. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Blackwell American Legion. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Mayden of Blackwell; two daughters, Shirley Ann Blunk and husband Mike, and Donna Kay Teer and husband Ronnie, all of Blackwell; three sons, James Ray Mayden and wife Lori of Newkirk, Carl Eugene Mayden and wife Linda of Blackwell, and Darrell Wayne Mayden and wife Kathy of Ponca City; seventeen grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ernestine Tremble and Judy Hiner; and three brothers; Ed, Sterling, and Warner Mayden.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 20th in the First Baptist Church in Blackwell with Rev. Randy Ratliff officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin with military rites performed by the United States Army.

Casketbearers will be Michael Blunk, Donnie Mayden, Chad Brown, Michael Hunter, Jimmy Diaz, and Greg Hurst. Serving as honorary casketbearers will be James Mayden, Carl Mayden, Darrell Mayden, Mike Blunk, Ronnie Teer, Gary Mayden, Austin Mayden, Andrew Mayden and Jeremy Lott.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the First Baptist Church and Hospice of North Central Oklahoma in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.