Obituary for Donald Nottingham

Donald Olan Nottingham – Veteran

November 6, 1929 – July 27, 2018

Donald Olan Nottingham, 88, passed away on July 27, 2018 at the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield, Kansas. He was born on November 6, 1929 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the son of John Robert Nottingham and Mary Kathryn Howell Nottingham. He attended school in Ponca City and rural Kaw City.

He served in the U.S. Army 45th Infantry Division during the Korean War from 1951 until 1952. His service was cut short due to a combat injury from a bayonet wound. Because of the primitive sanitation in Korea and the nature of the injury, he was flown to Japan. He spent several months recovering from his injuries there. When Donald looked back on that time, his eyes would fill with tears. He would say, no other country in the world other than the United States, would have gone to such lengths for just one soldier. This act of kindness really touched his heart. He would never forget it. He loved his country and was so proud to be an American.

On January 23, 1951, he married the love of his life Madella Faye Henry of Ponca City, Oklahoma. The couple was married at Fort Sill Army Base in Lawton, Oklahoma. The newlyweds settled in Ponca City to start their family. In 1951, they were blessed with a beautiful daughter, and then in 1953 a handsome son joined the family. They were happily married for 47 years until her passing on July 18, 1998.
Donald moved his family to California in 1955. He began his 30-year career as a Design Engineer at Kaiser Steel in Fontana, California. So vast was his knowledge, that he was called back to work as a consultant after the company was sold.

Donald loved spending time with his family and friends, especially the grandchildren. He enjoyed camping, fishing, traveling, seeing new places and learning new things. Covina, California was an ideal place to raise a family during that time. Don devoted himself to providing his family with a loving, safe, happy home. There are no words to tell you how much his family loved him and he loved them. Some of his favorite memories were of summer vacations spent fishing off the coast of Albion in northern California, fishing on Lake Powell in northern Arizona, and fishing on the Sea of Cortez, in Baja Mexico. Another favorite, was an eight-day, 188-mile rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Don and Madella Faye enjoyed numerous motorhome travels throughout the United States including driving to Alaska.

Don was a jack of all trades. He could just about do and fix anything. He and his son spent many hours together working in the garage. They always had a project going. These projects helped teach the family to be resourceful. His family and friends were very blessed that he always was willing to help.

After retirement, he and his wife moved back home to the Big Bend area of Ralston, Oklahoma. They looked forward to visits from the children over the holidays and summers spent exploring Oklahoma with the grandchildren.

Donald was reunited in heaven with his parents, his beloved wife, Madella Faye, son-in-law Gwynn Shinogle, brothers John (Bobby) Nottingham, Wayne Nottingham, and Jack Nottingham.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughter, Pamela Shinogle of Kaw City, Son Gerald Nottingham and wife Molly of Paonia, Colorado, granddaughter Sara Nottingham and husband Michael Tomac of Albuquerque, New Mexico, grandson Gregory Nottingham and wife Ashley of Ft. Mohave, Arizona, great-grandchildren Gavin Lough and Lyla Nottingham of Ft. Mohave, Arizona, brother Gary Nottingham and wife Freida of Mesa, Arizona, sister Dorothy Morgan of Ponca City, and brother Bud Nottingham and wife Judy of Ponca City, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 10:00 a.m. at Grace Memorial Chapel in Ponca City. Pastor Bill Bray will officiate. Honorary pallbearers for the service will be Sara Nottingham, Mike Nottingham, Tommy Joe Morgan, Larry Middleton, Kenneth Dillingham, Randy Furber, and Joseph Furber. Grandson Gregory Nottingham will carry the urn. Burial will follow at the Round Grove Cemetery located west of Ponca City. Military honors will be held at the graveside.