Donald Lee Haase
Born: February 16, 1932
Died: February 06, 2010
Donald Lee Haase, 77, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Sparks Regional Medical Center, Ft. Smith, AR. He was a resident at the Oklahoma Veteran Center in Talihina, OK. Don was born February 16, 1932 in Muskogee, OK to Eric and Anita Haase. Don was raised in Muskogee until the death of his father in 1936. After moving to Oklahoma City, OK with his mom, he started his schooling in the Oklahoma City Public School System, where he eventually went to Classen High School. At age 17, Don enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, 45th Division.
Don trained at Ft. Polk, LA and was part of the 45th Infantry Division that was one of the first National Guard units called to battle in the Korean War. He was part of a "company" that suffered heavy losses at "Old Baldy", a strategic rocky hill that was a stronghold of the Chinese Army. US forces would take this “hill” and then lose it back to the Chinese. This shift of control lasted several times throughout the war. China was allied with the North Koreans. His tour of duty was from September of 1950 to July 2, 1952. He received several combat medals, including the Bronze Star.
After his discharge, he returned to Oklahoma, where he attended and graduated at OCU, Oklahoma City, with a degree in Business Administration with an Accounting minor. He married Barbara Jemison and was employed with Holiday Inn as an accountant. In 1959, his career took a change where he began with the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector. He retired from the State of Oklahoma in the late 1970’s and was appointed as Assistant State Auditor and Inspector for several years.
He was a patient at the Talihina Veteran Center for 22 years. During that long stay, he made countless friends, served on the Residents Council, where he was elected chairman for three different terms. Don was also involved with the City of Talihina, where he served on the Main Street Committee. He was a familiar face along Talihina’s main street, and befriended many store owners in that 3 to 4 block area.
Don was a member of the local VFW, and also belonged to the VFW in Wilburton, OK. Being an avid bingo player, he also made many friends in the VFW Halls. He always made the daily trip to town from the center, and went on many out of town trips with other Veteran Center residents. He enjoyed having his family visit, was very proud of his two grandchildren and loved going on "road trips" all around the Ouachita Mountain area. He taught his sons, daughter, and grandkids a great deal about the history and geography of this beautiful area of Oklahoma. The Veterans Center has two hospitality houses where family members can stay at no charge when visiting their family resident. He loved sharing the views of the mountains and hills, smell of the pines, and the feel of the terrain. He was also involved with many of the Veteran Center events, like the annual "July fishing tournament for kids". The lake to the west of the facilities was annually stocked with bass, crappie, and blue-gill. Amazingly, many of the youngsters who competed in the event had never fished before.
Don is survived by four children: John Haase and wife Trudi, Adona, Deric and David Haase, and two grandchildren from Claremore, OK - Ryan and Kaitlin Haase. Don also has four nieces and several grand nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, an older brother, Richard, and eldest sister, Virginia.
The Talihina Veterans Center is honoring him with a memorial service in the Talihina Veteran Center Auditorium on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
There will be a graveside memorial service with military honors at Summit View Cemetery, Guthrie, OK on Friday, February 19, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie.
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