Don Wayne Fugate

Don Fugate of Inola, Oklahoma passed from this life into Glory on July 4, 2023. He was born March 4, 1935 in the township of Strike Axe City of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, to Earl A. and Frances May Fugate. He was a member of the Osage Nation. He grew up in Tulsa and Collinsville, and married his childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth A. Maxwell of Collinsville. The couple moved to Inola in 1968. 

In high school He loved sports and was always very aggressive and competitive. He never knew that he wasn't very big, as he started and excelled as quarterback, shortstop, and point guard for four years at Collinsville High School. 

Don spent thirty plus years in Information Management Systems as a Scientific Programmer and  Software Programmer while employed at Phillips Petroleum, Sunray DX, and Amoco. He retired from American Airlines after over 20 years altogether, with twelve years as a Managing Director and over five hundred people reporting to him.

Following retirement he practiced law, was elected as Osage Nation District Judge for four years, and spent six and a half years at a Tulsa County Assistant Public Defender, representing deprived children. He had a big concern for the children he represented. Don also worked part time as a real estate associate for Tommy Dyer Real Estate.

He loved his family and was always fun to be with. In his free time, he enjoyed taking long drives with Liz. He also enjoyed telling stories and making people laugh. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. 

Don is survived by his wife Elizabeth A. Fugate; sons Don Jr. and wife Sandy, Ronnie A. Fugate and wife Kristy, bonus son Robert O’Dell and wife Bobbie; grandchildren: Rocky Fugate, Chad Fugate and wife Andi, Lindsey Thompson and husband Chad, Sara Stubblefield and husband Larry, and Shelby McGarrah and husband Dalton, Joshua O’Dell and wife Ashley, Lacie O’Dell, Annie Whinery and husband John, and Jessica Lee; great-grandchildren: Brock Fugate, Brooklyn Fugate, Ali, Annlee, and Tinley Thompson, Heston Fugate, Caroline Carrington, Murphey McGarrah, Easton Anderson, Maggie O’Dell, Kameron and Harper Whinery, Trevor and Evie Mora, Alecia Ringler, Tannie Jo Lee, and Eliza and Stella Smith; siblings: Robert Fugate, Dana Fugate, and Mary Garvey. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Marla O’Dell. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to First Baptist Church Inola’s preschool department.