Donald Horner

Donald J. Horner, resident of Ponca City, passed away Wednesday morning, March 24, 2010 in Ponca City at the age of 79.

Donald J. Horner was born to John Leroy Horner and Lula Marie James Horner on August 9, 1930, 12 miles southwest of Pond Creek, Oklahoma, between Hillsdale and Pond Creek. At the age of five, he and his family moved to a farm northwest of Hunter. Don attended Rose Valley School, a small country school, his first year. The district consolidated with Hunter Public Schools the following year, and he attended Hunter Schools until the second semester of his junior year. The family then moved to Garber, Oklahoma, where he finished high school.

Don played football and basketball, and in his senior year the football team won eleven of twelve games. The basketball team went to the state tournament his junior year. His senior year was highlighted by winning the high school invitational tournament at Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma. Don loved basketball, both to play and to watch.

Don attended Enid Business College, graduating with a degree in General Accounting. He played basketball there and also played independent basketball for several years.

Don married and had three children. He farmed in the Grainola area and then east of Perry, Oklahoma, where in October of 1955 he suffered a farming accident and was unable to continue farming. In May of 1956 he was hired at Continental Oil Company and moved to Ponca City. Dons marriage ended in divorce three and a half years later.

Don and Catherine Sissons married in July of 1960. Catherine became a wife to Don and legally adopted the three children as her own. Eight years later Catherines younger sister became a part of the family.

Don worked for Continental Oil Company in Production Research Division of the RD Department for more than 34 years. The first 20 years of his employment he also farmed wheat in Noble County, retiring from Conoco in 1990. His retirement years were spent happily with his wife, Catherine. He played golf, gardened, and enjoyed having a saddle horse for five years. After the love of the Lord, Don had the utmost love for his family.

Retirement was a time of several shortterm volunteer projects and one longer project. Don spent several years on the Board of Directors of the McCord Senior Citizens. He also helped haul food to the Center and delivered noon meals to elderly shutins. He made many new friends and learned to really love the elderly. He was awarded 1999 RSVP Ponca City Volunteer. Don served as President of the McCord Senior Citizens Center. The Center moved into a new building in March, 2004 and serves the McCord area.

Don grew up in Sunday School and Church. He strayed away for some time in his middle years, but the Lords call had never left him and he returned to the fellowship of the church. Don and his wife Catherine have been in service to the church for many years. Together they led a Wednesday night Bible class for 13 years. The class was Navigators discipleship training for Christian laymen. New Christians had the opportunity to learn to walk with Jesus Christ and older Christians could renew their walk with Jesus. For peace on earth and a promise of spending eternity with Him, each one must accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Dont delay, it is the most important decision you will ever make in your life time

Don is survived by his wife, Catherine, of the home son Scott Horner, Wyandotte, Oklahoma daughters Donalyn Dickson of Perry, Oklahoma, and Patty Horner, Fayetteville, Arkansas sisterinlaw Teddi Sullins, Billings, Oklahoma six grandchildren and several greatgrandchildren.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 26th at Grace Memorial Chapel.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 27, 2010 in the Worship Center of the First Baptist Church with Dr. Michael Seabaugh presiding, assisted by Chris Short. The family will have a private graveside committal service. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the McCord Senior Citizen Center, 115 East Mary Rd., Ponca City, Oklahoma 74604 or to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, 500 North Broadway, Suite 25, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102