Donald Eugene McGrew

Donald E. McGrew, better know as “Papa” to those who loved him, entered heavens gates on September 3th. He was 92.

Don was born August 15th, 1927 to Mary and Dean McGrew, and spent most of his childhood with his grandparents, John and Lucy Hoskins.  Don attended Red Rock High School until 1945, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  He served during WWII and achieved the rank of Machinist Mate First Class.  He returned home after the war to finish school, where he met the love of his life, Wanda June Farmer.  They spent 68 years as loving husband and wife before Wanda was called home on September 2nd, 2015.  After the couple were married, Don enlisted in the U.S. Army, and served during the Korean War.  While stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, the couple had two children, June and Joseph McGrew.  Don attained the rank of Master Sargent and served as a bomb disposal specialist.  After his retirement from the military, Don and Wanda returned to Ponca City.

Don began a new career, after his military retirement, with Halliburton Company. Working for Haliburton took Don, Wanda, and their children all over the world, including Tripoli, Libya, where their son, Joe, graduated from high school.  They lived in Spain, Saudi Arabia, Iran, as well as many locations within the United States during his career.  Although Don and Wanda traveled all over the world, the place they called home would always be Ponca City. Don continued working both in the United States, and abroad, until his retirement from Halliburton in 1987. 

After retirement, Don and Wanda enjoyed running their family-owned businesses, D.J. and Company Clothing store, and the Hartford Laundry.  They also enjoyed traveling and visiting family and friends all over the United States.  Their favorite vacations were those that included their grandchildren.  They traveled numerous times to visit their grandchildren in Louisiana.  They also traveled with their Oklahoma granddaughters to Disneyland, Red River, New Mexico, and many other destinations.  Don also enjoyed being a member of the Red Rock Sportsman’s Club.  Anyone that knew Don would tell you that he enjoyed many things in life, but nothing brought him more joy than his family.

Don is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, his brother Lloyd and wife Betty McGrew, brother in law Butch Farmer, brother in law Bill and wife Alma Farmer, his two children; daughter June and husband George “Robbie” Robertson and son Joseph McGrew as well as numerous aunts and uncles.

Don will be missed tremendously by the ones he left behind. Daughter in law Janet and husband Bruce Evans of Ponca City and Sister in law Kathy and husband Jack Beguin of Ponca City. His beloved grandchildren; George and wife Sunni Robertson of Brusly Louisiana, Andrea Morales of Brusly Louisianan, Callie and husband Stephen Short of Brusly, Jennifer McGrew of Stillwater, Jessica and husband Ryan Hensley of Ponca City, Kayla and husband Zekke Stump of Edmond and Renee Caldwell of Texas.

The ones that kept a smile on his face during his final days on this earth where his great grandchildren; Chandler and Sean Robertson, Eric and David Morales, Blakeley, Casey and Sydney Short, Miana and Aubrianna Smith, Joseph McGrew II, Melissa Green, Bre Anna Hirtler and Hadley and Harper Hensley.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday September 7th at 10:00 am at the Free Will Baptist Church in Ponca City. Donations can be made in her honor to Humanity Hospice. Pastor Russ Hughes officiating. Online condolence can be made at https://www.stittsworthfuneralservices.com/.

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