Don Friesen

Donald Leon Friesen was born November 21, 1939, the second son of Albert and Helen McCracken Friesen, on a farm southeast of Thomas, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brothers Richard and Jack Friesen. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy Friesen; his daughters and their husbands Kara & Rich Foster and Kela & James Baird; his grandchildren Emma and Will Philbrick, Allie & Luke Dollar, Sara & Jack Smith, Jack Baird, and Finley Foster; and his great-granddaughter Alexandra Dollar.

“Donnie” always felt like he led a Rockwellian childhood in his hometown of Thomas where he attended school. He graduated from Thomas High School in 1958 where he excelled in football, basketball, and track under the tutelage of Mr. Joe Ross and Mr. Kenneth Roof, establishing several school football and track & field records. Donnie was especially proud of playing on three football state championship teams in 1955, 1956, and 1957. He carried a special torch of fondness for his relationships with his teammates and coaches and for playing football for such a legendary program. Donnie was a Boy Scout and Boys State representative. He always remembered and spoke fondly of his classmates from the Thomas High School class of 1958.

While attending Oklahoma State University, he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity where he made many friends with whom he remained close throughout his life. He met Nancy Vanderwork, his college sweetheart, at the student union and later asked her to wear his fraternity pin after several dates. They were married on June 1, 1963.

After graduation from OSU, he began his career as an educator in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Don spent the last thirty years of his career as an elementary school principal in Fairview, Oklahoma. His tenure at Fairview enabled him to work with some of the best, most gifted, and most respected teachers in the state. Don was a lifelong learner and a big-time bookworm. He was a member of the Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (serving a term as president and as state representative), and the Oklahoma Professional Standards Board. In 1988 he was elected the Oklahoma Elementary School Principal of the Year and designated a National Distinguished Principal. He was also a thirty-year Fairview Lions Club member. But what Don will most be remembered for professionally is that he was an elementary school principal who worked to smooth the paths of less fortunate and underprivileged children.

Just when he thought he was too old to fall in love again, his legacy continued with five grandchildren: Emma, Allie, Sara, Jack, and Finley - and great granddaughter Alexandra. They stole his heart . . . and a lot of his money, too. He enduringly loved each of them with all his heart and soul.

Don loved climbing mountains, backpacking in the wilderness, and his trips to the United Kingdom with Nancy to visit and explore many of the historical places of his reading interests. He authored one book, Memories: Mostly True, Growing up in Western Oklahoma during the 1940s and Fabulous 50s, a sustaining delight to him. He also enjoyed school reunions and luncheons with former childhood, high school, and college friends. Don often said that no buildings were ever named after him nor monuments erected in his honor, but, instead, he was blessed to know and love many friends. In fact, although he was a man of few words, there were several things he often articulated, including the following sentiment: Please be kind in your words, actions, and how you treat others because you might not have another day to correct any faults.

To everyone whose heart he touched and whose soul he comforted, Don was a reserved man of quiet faith and modesty who often took the road less traveled and marched to the beat of a different drummer. He was an abidingly faithful follower of Christ Jesus, his savior. And, to his family, his greatest accomplishment was his acceptance of that gift of faith.

In lieu of flowers, if you choose to make a donation, Don was an advocate of children in need; any contribution to a charity serving vulnerable children would be greatly appreciated by his family.

All are welcome to attend Don’s memorial service at 2:00 PM Friday, July 17th, at Memorial Road Church of Christ, 2221 E. Memorial Road, Edmond, OK, 73013.