Dr. Russell L. Donathan DVM

Dr. Russell Leroy Donathan, formerly of Okmulgee, passed away on November 1st, 2011. He was 77. RL was born on July 26, 1934 in Wilson Community to Bluford L. and Leona Howell Donathan. The firstborn of six children, he was raised in Wilson Community. After graduating high school, he entered Oklahoma A&M University (later renamed Oklahoma State University) and earned a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture. He was then accepted into the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State, and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1959. While in school, he married Audrey Gayle Meyers, and over their marriage they had three daughters, Leona Gayle Donathan, now deceased; Paula Kay Donathan, now deceased; and, Phyllis Renee Donathan Wilmon of Tahlequah. RL began practice of veterinary medicine in Checotah in 1959, but soon moved to Okmulgee, and assumed Dr. King’s practice at 4th & Okmulgee. Soon thereafter, he moved his clinic to 716 East 6th in Okmulgee, where he remained in practice for 42 years. Tragically, Audrey died at the young age of 25, and he found himself a widower with three daughters. He soon reconnected with a previous schoolmate from Wilson, and on February 7th, 1963, he and Shirley Ann Salmon were married in Fort Smith, Arkansas. They had a daughter, Kelli Dawn Donathan of Glenpool, and a son Dr. Russell E. Donathan of Broken Arrow. In 1966, fate again dealt a terrible blow, and young Paula passed away. In addition to his veterinary practice, RL and Shirley also had a western store on Main Street in Okmulgee, for a few years. They also had a few homes in Okmulgee that they rented out; as part of this, RL refined his carpentry, electrical, and plumbing talents. In 1990, RL and Shirley moved to Glenpool and opened a satellite veterinary clinic there, providing a service to that community, which up to that time, was unfulfilled. Though demanding, RL traveled to Okmulgee every morning for his clinic there, and then returned to Glenpool in the afternoon for that clinic. In 1992, his eldest daughter, Gayle passed away, and four years later, his wife, Shirley, passed away. In 2001, RL retired from practice, but remained active in his church, his Lodge, and his other interests. His accomplishments are numerous, and it is with strong evidence that he be considered a Renaissance Man. He was a self-taught painter and sculptor, and was proficient in carpentry, plumbing, and electric work. He took particular joy and solace in writing prose and poetry. He taught himself to read and write Greek, and was an outstanding Biblical scholar. He was an ordained minister in the Southern Baptist Convention, and spent much time on the county roads driving to rural churches to preach. He was a long-time member of Second Baptist Church in Okmulgee, and served in numerous positions of leadership, including those of Deacon and Minister of Education. He was the driving force of the building of the Baptist Church at Nuyaka. He was a Master Mason, a three-time Past Master of Okmulgee Masonic Lodge #199 in Okmulgee, and a member of Pilgrim-Rock Masonic Lodge #522 in Tulsa. He was exceptionally talented in Masonic ritual and government, and conducted over 200 Masonic Funeral Rites. He was also Scottish Rite Mason, and a member of the McAlester Consistory and the Tulsa Consistory. He was a York Rite Mason, a member of the Okmulgee York Rite Bodies. He was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and had served as Worthy Patron of Nettie B. Fair Chapter #241 in Okmulgee. He was a life member of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, and held an active license to practice veterinary medicine in Oklahoma until his retirement, and an emeritus license until his death. Beyond these titles, though, he was an intelligent, kind, empathetic, giving, and engaging man. He enjoyed reading across a broad spectrum of subjects, and had an extensive library. Though tragedy had visited his door much more often than fair, his deep, abiding Faith in God carried him. He believed that man can see but a small part of God’s Will, and it becomes incumbent then to trust in Him. His legacy is the thousands of lives he touched, be it by a kind word in a conversation, the treatment of the family pet, the patient work in the cattle pens, the cogent yet touching sermon from the pulpit, the extending of credit to someone in need, and so many other gestures of goodwill and Godliness he performed everyday. While some men may be remember by the long shadow that looms large from them, RL will forever be remembered in the gentle ripple effect of a pebble upon the water he has had and will have through generations. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bluford L. and Leona G. Donathan; his sister, Trellive; his brother Pete; his first wife, Audrey; his second wife, Shirley; and, his daughters Paula and Gayle. He is survived by his daughter, Phyllis Renee Donathan Wilmon and her husband, Michael, of Tahlequah; his daughter, Kelli Dawn Donathan, and her companion Kenneth Johnson, of Glenpool; his son, Dr. Russell E. Donathan and his wife Cynthia, of Broken Arrow; his sister, Darlene Donathan Bartolina and her husband, Donald of Edmond; his sister-in-law, Kay Berryhill Donathan of Sapulpa; his brother, Dale Donathan and his wife Fran, of Wilson Community; and, his sister Glenda Donathan Vance, and her husband Joe, of Wilson Community. He is also survived by six grandsons, Bret Michael Wilmon of Tahlequah; Jeffrey Scott Paden and his wife, Claudia of Springfield, Missouri; Gregory Thomas Paden and his fiancé Ashley of Owasso; Christopher Cauthon and his family of San Antonio, Texas; David Cauthon of Warner; and, Kevin Cauthon of Warner. Also, his darling granddaughter, Erica Ann Coltharp of Glenpool. Numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, family, and friends survive him, and completed his life on this earth. His mortal frame lays low amidst the turmoil and the dust, but his Spirit soared to Heaven as he sighed his last breath. In lieu of flowers, you are encouraged to make a donation to your home of Worship, the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, the Sand Springs Home, Serenity Hospice, Goodwill Industries, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are made by McClendon-Winters Funeral Services in Okmulgee. Services will be Friday, November 4th, 2011 at 10am at the McClendon Winters Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Jackie Vance will officiate. Internment will be at Salt Creek Cemetery at Wilson Community. Friends may visit the funeral home on Thursday from 1:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. and the family will be present from 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. to receive friends.

Dr. Russell L. Donathan DVM

July 26, 1934 - November 1, 2011