Don Thomas Waddle
Jul 24, 1937 - Mar 31, 2012
Posted by Janet Laubhan Flickinger

http://www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com/

Don was born in Lexington, Oklahoma on July 24, 1937 to Clark and Louise (Kees) Waddle.  He was the second of four children.  Don grew up in the Lexington and Norman area and attended Norman High School.  He served in the Oklahoma Air National Guard and the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant.

In January, 1959, he married the love of his life, Geraldine (Jerrie) Tarbet. They lived and raised their 3 children in their Norman home that he built. Don retired from the U.S. Postal Service, Norman Branch, in 1996.  The first 15 years of his Postal career were spent walking his 14.8 mile route, 5 days a week.  In 1987, he and Jerrie purchased the Diet Center of Norman and ran the business until they closed in 1993.  After he retired from the Post Office, Don needed something else to keep him busy.  He did various jobs including working for Home Creations, Alterra Assisted Living Center and had his own home inspection service.  He finally retired for good in 2006.  Don loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed showing his champion Paint Horse, Skip-A-Cat Balou.  His greatest joy was spending time with his family and spoiling his grandchildren.  Don and Jerrie had always looked forward to his retirement so they could travel.  Unfortunately, Don’s health began to decline and they were never able to fulfill that dream. 

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Clark and Louise Waddle, his mother and father-in-law, Frank and Nelma Tarbet, whom all met him with great joy in Heaven! 

Don is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Jerrie, and their three children, Cheryl Barton and husband, Rick, of Norman; Mike Waddle and wife Melinda, of San Antonio, Texas, and Christopher Waddle and husband, Kevin Harden of Melissa, Texas, and his “favorite” 4-legged son, Ray Ray.  He has six grandchildren, Amanda Widener and husband Bill of Kilgore, Texas; Jarred Fry and wife, Heather of Moore, Oklahoma; Justin Waddle and wife Alicia, of Kilgore, Texas; Katelynn Fry and fiancé Dustin Blalock, of Norman; Tyler Waddle, Kilgore, TX and Miranda Barton, Norman.  He has one great-granddaughter, Kimberly Fry, who was the apple of his eye. Also his very special sister-in-law, Barbara Tarbet of Norman; sister and two brothers, Shirley and Jimmy Rider, Keith and Shirley Waddle, all of Norman and Bob and Carolyn Waddle of Pawhuska, a very special aunt, Theda Noe of Norman, and a slew of nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.

The family would like to thank Dr. Joe Riddle, for his many years of care, Dr. Linda Hershey for her care and diagnosis and the staff of Solamor Hospice, especially Maggie, Jennifer and Dr. Elliott, for the wonderful care shown to Don and his family.

Memorials may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047.

Family visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday April 2, 2012 at Havenbrook Funeral Home, 3401 Havenbrook St., Norman.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in the Chapel of the Havenbrook Funeral Home with interment following in the Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements for Don and his family were placed in the care of the Vice Family at Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com.

Thank You For Your Service!