Donald E. "Don" Eagleton Sr.

Services for Don E. Eagleton Sr. will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Memorial Heights Baptist Church, Claremore. Don will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery following the service. Visitation will be at MMS-Payne, Claremore on Friday, July 28, 1-8 p.m,. with family receiving visitors from 6-8 p.m. Don was called home on July 26, 2017.
A Claremore native, Don attended schools all over Oklahoma, changing schools fifty plus times as Ethel Faye Henson Eagleton and their family, Don, Billy Ray, Buddy Sue (Fred Williams), and Judy Faye (Johnny Fivecoats) followed Arthur “Bud” Eagleton to various construction sites throughout Oklahoma and surrounding states, taking their few possessions piled in the backseat of their car, followed by a small storage trailer.
An avid golfer and tennis player, Don also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also a superb athlete in track, baseball, and boxing, the latter of which frequently extended into the streets during his teen and young adult life. Naturally, Don developed a love of construction work as he began working jobs as a teen with his father. During this time, Don taught himself to operate heavy equipment by sneaking onto construction sites at night, keys still in machines, operating them and putting them back in place before morning. Shortly after graduating from McAlester High in 1954 where he met life-long friend, Bill Tronier, Don went to work for McBride Construction, among others.He later went on to establish D&J Asphalt and Eagleton Excavating and Paving Inc., working extensively on expansive commercial sites as well as smaller local residential jobs. During this time, Don formed a life-long friendship with fellow construction man, George Wahl. It was in his midlife that Don also found salvation and felt called to teach the “Word” to an adult class which continued throughout the second half of his life where he formed a special bond with members Geraldine and Paul Brown, among many others.
During mid-life, Don also welcomed his last son Kyle E. Eagleton, who preceded him in death in 2011. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, his parents, brother, and lifelong friend Billy Joe Still. As an established business man and older father, Don enjoyed fishing, hunting, coaching, and working construction with Kyle during Kyle’s childhood and youth. After retirement, devoted grandparents Don and beloved wife, Lynn Deardorf- Eagleton, enjoyed their special bond with Kyle’s daughter Erin Eagleton and daughter- in-law Cyndi Lane Eagleton, as Erin spent overnights as a toddler and Don went on to “babysit” Erin after school during her elementary years.
Don also developed a strong business acumen in investing as well as construction, getting his stock broker’s license after being self-taught. Don also was a self-taught musician, at guitar, piano, and singing at church and at one time with a band. In retirement, Don taught himself to cook for Lynn. He delighted in sharing recipes with friends and seeing Lynn’s and Erin’s enjoyment of his meal preparation.
Don and Lynn met in later life. Though possessing opposite dispositions and personalities, they are kindred spirits. Don was a story-teller of monumental proportions, exceeded only by his infectious sense of humor.
Don was a devoted daily Bible reader and could teach directly from the Bible through the Holy Spirit until recently when Alzheimer’s began to take its toll.
He is survived by his wife Lynn; children: Don Jr., Vickie Eagleton Jameson (Kevin Carlton), Phillip Eagleton (Anne), and Pam Beezer; and stepchildren: Mendy Stone (Gary), Coley Criss (Laura Ariel); six grandchildren: Clinton Jameson (Jennifer), Nicole Jameson (Jason Crittenden), Alex and Ashley Eagleton, Lance and Tyler Walker, Charles Beezer, Erin and her mother Cyndi; step-grandchildren: Amanda and Brett (Lindsay) Stone; and Kohlee Criss; several great-grandchildren: Brooklyn Surginer, Jaxon Crittenden, Wyett, Waylon, Maverik, and Wayne Jameson, and Kaison Pink. Don is also survived by various cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Donald Eugene Eagleton Sr. was a “bigger-than-life” self-made man. He was humbled unto the Lord and humble as a man in that all of his stories of his life accomplishments were true.
A special thanks to former neighbor and family friend Darlene Passmore and special gratitude to Dr. Rylander, Transitions Hospice (nurse Billie), and Comfort Keepers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s organization, NASH organization of your choice or Rogers Country Gideons P.O. Box 1132, Claremore 74018.