Donald M. Houston

Donald M. Houston was born on September 4th, 1950 to Aaron Lloye and Winona Bernice (Reed) Houston in Talihina Hospital in Wilberton, Oklahoma and passed away peacefully in his home in Oklahoma City, Ok on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the age of 73 years, 9 months and 8 days.

Donnie and his family lived in Montana briefly while he was a child but he grew up in Clinton, Oklahoma and graduated from Clinton High School in 1968. He got his first job during high school at The Hub. He started a job at Kellwood right after graduation where he became a supervisor, and then married Reta Fay Hubert from Weatherford and they started their family. They were just teenagers when their first daughter, Angela was born, followed by Kevin a few years later, and then Tara. Donnie held a number of jobs and titles throughout his years in western Oklahoma including Acme Brick plant manager, Sawatzky Construction, and co-owner of two service stations and one hot shot company. He really was a jack of all trades. From playing softball himself to coaching his daughters softball teams and cheering his kids on at the Little Olympics. Even surprising them with a First Place trophy right there on the field! He enjoyed fishing and working on cars with his son and poker night with his buddies. He was also a proud member of the Choctaw Indian Tribe.

On October 6th, 2001 he married the love of his life, Rita Tiller in Oklahoma City and blessed us with a Bonus mom and two Bonus sisters, Christi and Holly. Donnie spent his time working as a surveyor, and then as a salesman for Oak Creek Homes in Oklahoma City where he was awarded salesman of the year multiple times. He was the General Manager at the time of his retirement. He and Rita are avid OU Sooner fans and could often be seen in matching shirts. He absolutely adored Rita and was happy to be out antique shopping and spending time with her when he wasn’t working in their yard. He enjoyed watching old John Wayne westerns or faith inspired christian movies with her. He loved making her happy.

In December of 2012 Donnie cheated death when he suffured a cardiac arrest for 26 minutes before being ‘brought back’ and stabilized. He spent the next several weeks recovering in ICU before he was finally released and sent home. Since then he felt like his purpose in life was to spread the word of God and thats what he did. He saw Heaven and he wasn’t afraid to talk about it. He has been fearless and unafraid of dying because of it. He got to meet and have lunch with Gov. Mary Falin and was featured on the news to talk about his experience.

We will miss hearing that ‘hey kiddo’ and ‘hey old lady’ every time we call or walk through the door. We’ll miss his homemade blueberry pie he made especially for his daughter-in-law most holidays. We will forever miss his good advice and even better sense of humor.

Donnie is survived by his wife Rita of the home, daughter Angela Hix and husband Mark of Weatherford ok, son Kevin Houston and wife Kathy of Mustang ok, daughter Tara Haines and husband Brian of Mustang Ok, Christi Jones of Oklahoma City Ok, 11 grandchildren, Taylor (Mat), Zachery and Aaron Houston of Mustang, Rylie (Gavin) and Braiden Early of Mustang, Brantley, Hadley and Harper Haines of Mustang, Connor and Karsyn Hix of Weatherford Ok and Cierra Jones of Oklahoma City, 5 great grandchildren, 2 dogs, Gabriel and Mister and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents, brother James Houston, sister Phyllis Jordan and his sweet dog, Oreck.

A visitation for Donald will be held Tuesday, April 16, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Sunny Lane Funeral Home, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 1:00 PM, 4000 SE 29th Street, Del City, OK 73115. A burial will occur Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Sunny Lane Funeral Home & Cemetery, 4000 SE 29th St, Del City, OK 73115.