Donald Crabtree

Donald Eugene Crabtree departed this life on Wednesday evening, November 20, 2019 with his family by his side in his 81st year.  Donald was born on Thursday, November 3, 1938 in Blue Mountain, Arkansas.  He was born to Vernon Ardell and Zula Grace (Hood) Crabtree.  Donald was the youngest of five children.

In his early years, the family moved to the Big Bend Area west of Ralston where he was raised on a farm.  He attended the first Woodland School and later Ralston Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1957.

On August 12, 1972, Donald married the love of his life, Mary Lou Martin.  The couple was married in Chelsea, OK by Mary Lou’s Uncle Joe Martin at the First Baptist Church.  They had known each other for several years as acquaintances, meeting at a rodeo and dated for four years before tying the knot.  They were married for 47 years.

In his younger years, he worked at the Pawnee Sales Barn.  In 1983, he began working for Osage County District 3 at Fairfax.  Donald kept both jobs for several years.  Even though he stopped working at the sale barn he never stopped going, as he faithfully looked forward to attending sales every Saturday.  At the county, he worked as a truck driver, drove the road grader, and was the Road Foreman before retiring in June 2004 with 21 years of service.  In addition to all of his other jobs, Donald was first and foremost a farmer and a rancher.

Donald’s enjoyments included tending his cattle, watching team ropings and rodeos, having coffee downtown with his buddies every morning, taking his dog Dixie for a ride on the 4-wheeler, and being with his family.  He was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge in Fairfax.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Ardell and Zula Crabtree; one sister, Ruby Nell Crabtree; and two brothers, Charles and Billy Crabtree.  Beloved husband of Mary Lou Crabtree of the home in Fairfax, OK.  Loving father of Allyson Crabtree Irons of Stillwater, OK.  Proud grandfather to Megan Irons of Lawrence, KS.  Brother to Juanita Logsdon of Fairfax, OK.  He will be fondly remembered by all of his family, including his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and life-long friends.

Family and friends may pay their respects at the Hunsaker Wooten Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, November 22, 2019 from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, November 23, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Funeral service will be held at the Fairfax Cemetery Pavilion on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 2 p.m.  Interment to follow under the care of Hunsaker Wooten Funeral Home with Pastor Lewis Bernard, officiating.  Casket bearers will be his nephews.  Honorary casket bearers are Henry Johnston, Gary Marshall, Gerald Ferguson, and Dickie Johnston.

For those who wish to make memorial donations in memory of Donald, it may be made to the Fairfax Public Library or the charitable organization of your choice.

Share a memory with the family at www.hunsakerwootenfuneralhome.com