Donald Eugene Chancey

Donald Eugene Chancey, of Natura, Oklahoma, died March 11, 2016 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, at age 89. Don was born February 5, 1927 to Roy and Blanche (Woslum) Chancey at Bryant, Oklahoma. Don's mother had double pneumonia at the time and he was born 2 1/2 months premature, weighing 2 1/2 pounds. The doctor in attendance, Dr. Sanderson, handed him to his grandmother, Olla Woslum, and aunt Lilian Chancey, and said, "He hasn't got a chance. Clean him up while I take care of his mother." They cleaned him, wrapped him in a dish cloth, put him in his dad's shoe box and set him on the oven door for use as an incubator. They fed him Eagle Brand and goat's milk and he survived until March 11, 2016.

Don graduated from Bryant High School in 1945 and Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1954 with a B.S. in Commerce. He was employed with Hughes Aircraft Company in El Segundo, California for 13 years in the position of Chief of Master Scheduling and Programming. Don returned to Oklahoma and was employed with PPG Industries in Henryetta for 10 years as Supervisor of Production Control, then retired from Fibercast Company in Sand Springs in 1989 after 13 years as Supervisor of Production Scheduling and Inventory Control.
A veteran of World War II, Don proudly served his country as Staff Sgt. at Army Ground Force Headquarters at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. He was Past Master of Morris Lodge No. 471 AF&AM, a member of the York-Rite Bodies of Okmulgee and member of the Scottish Rite of the Valley of McAlester. A member of Natura Baptist Church, Don had served as the Men's Sunday School Teacher and Song Leader.

Don was an avid fan of Preston basketball and attended the Oklahoma high school state basketball tournaments 32+ years. He loved gardening and grew enough tomatoes, onions and yellow squash for the entire neighborhood. Don and Peggy were frequently found crappie fishing at Porum Landing on Lake Eufaula. He was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and NCAA March Madness. But his greatest enjoyment was watching grandson Larame show pigs and grandsons Ben and Zac play baseball and basketball.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Michael Chancey, three brothers, Norman, Leroy and Ted Chancey. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Peggy Nichols Pinkston Chancey, two step-sons, Larry and wife Cathy Pinkston of Natura and Wesley and wife Susan Pinkston of Boynton. Don's three grandsons are Dr. Ben Pinkston and wife Kendal of Edmond and their children Jack and Gentry, Larame Pinkston of Haskell and Zac Pinkston of Natura. Don is also survived by three step-granddaughters, Terri, Sherri and Kerri and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services with Masonic Rites will be held Thursday March 17, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Natura Baptist Church with Bro. Kevin Wadsworth and Bro. Charles Story officiating.
Casket bearers will be Don Copenhaver, David Hale, John Rogers, Russell Criner, Robert Pinkston and Orvil Wood. Honorary Casket bearers will be the Bryant High School Basketball Team: Charlie James, Kenneth Popejoy, Edward (Gabe) Hunter, Dee Masey, Carl Curtis, Jimmy Curtis, Dawson Popejoy and Coach R. E. Wilson. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Okmulgee Cemetery under the direction of Schaudt's Funeral Service of Okmulgee. Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Charities.

Arrangements were entrusted to Schaudt’s Okmulgee Funeral Service & Cremation Care. Family and friends may view the obituary and send condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com