Donald Wayne Christian, Sr's Obituary
Donald Wayne Christian, Sr., 81, passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Born on September 3, 1942, in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Don was the beloved son of Arthur Clarence and Lottie Leora Christian.
Don's early years were spent in Bixby, Oklahoma, where his father worked in the horticulture industry for Oklahoma State. Don often shared fond memories of his father's award-winning tomatoes. He attended Bixby Schools and spent his high school summers hauling hay for his uncle in Bartlesville, eventually graduating from College High School.
Following high school, Don joined the National Guard in 1960 before working for W.C. Norris, an oil field supply company. In 1968 Don joined the Tulsa Police Department dedicating nearly three decades to serving his community as an officer. He was eventually promoted to detective specializing in auto theft and vehicular crimes. He retired in 1997 but continued to serve the community as a part-time security guard at Saint Francis Hospital for almost 30 years.
Don raised his children in Jenks, Oklahoma, where he was a devoted and loving father, known for his caring, kind, and humorous personality. He was a proud owner of a Chevy Silverado and a passionate foodie, with favorite dining spots including McAlister's Deli, Chili's, Cracker Barrel, and Texas Roadhouse. Nearly every Sunday he could be found enjoying chicken and dumplings at the Cracker Barrel. He also loved sharing meals at nearby restaurants with his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his love for food, Don had a green thumb and took great pleasure in gardening, proudly sharing his homegrown tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, and squash. He was also an ardent supporter of OU Sooners football and was always wearing crimson to support his favorite team. If the OU Sooners were playing you could find him sitting in his recliner, rooting for the Boomer Sooners.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Jonna; his parents, Arthur and Lottie Christian; his brothers, Alvin and James Christian; his daughter, Sheryl; and his son Cody Williams and his wife, Sabrina.
Surviving family include his daughters, Kimberly Pittinger and her husband David, Jonnie Raye Williams and her boyfriend Robert Flagor; and his son, Donald Christian Jr.. Don was a proud grandfather to thirteen grandchildren who were the loves of his life: Baylor Pittinger and his fiance Emilee, Addison Pittinger, Cody Christian, Tyler Christian and his wife Ashley, Justin Christian, Maggie Harper and her husband Jordan, Jefferson Clark, Ashley Grayson and her husband Dexter, Cody Williams, Harrison Hall, Clint Henin, Dalton Gragg, and Ronnie Williams. He is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren and his adopted daughter Teresa Essandoh and her husband Albert and their daughter Gabrielle. Additionally, Don leaves behind his brothers, Arthur Christian, Fred Christian and his wife Sharlene, and Lyndal Christian.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM on Tuesday in the Rivercrest Chapel of Bixby-South Tulsa Funeral Service. A funeral ceremony honoring Don's life will be held at 1 PM on Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Glenpool. Interment, accompanied by the Tulsa Police Department Honor Guard, will follow in Floral Haven Memorial Gardens.
Don will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
What’s your fondest memory of Donald?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donald?
Share a story where Donald's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donald you’ll never forget.
How did Donald make you smile?