Donald Keith "Donnie" York
Feb 16, 1936 - Jan 22, 2026
Posted by Jo Aguirre

© Karen Harman

© Cheyenne Star

Donald Keith York was born February 16th, 1936, in Crawford, Oklahoma to Jesse Elmira (Molton) and William Hobart York. He passed away Thursday, January 22nd, 2026, at Elk City, Oklahoma at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 6 days.

Donald, known by most as “Donnie,” grew up in the Durham community. He graduated from Durham High School in 1954 and was married to Jo Nell Meek at Pampa, Texas on December 24, 1953. After their graduation, they moved to Oklahoma City where Donnie worked for the Dr. Pepper Bottling Plant and Jo Nell worked at Lintone Belt Company. They later moved to Pampa, Texas, where Donnie found employment at Celanese as a welder’s helper.

In the mid‑1950s, Donnie and Jo Nell moved back to the Durham community where they purchased the Durham Grocery Store as owner‑operators. After a short period of time, they traded the grocery store for a dairy herd near the Spring Creek area. After five years at the Spring Creek location, they moved the herd to “York Corner,” where they continued for the next 15 years. During this time, their dairy was known for having the Double Four, enabling them to milk eight cows at once—state‑of‑the‑art at the time.

After retiring from the dairy business, they purchased the Oklahoma Farmer’s Union Roger Mills Agency, which later became American Farmers and Ranchers Insurance and is still owned by the family. Donnie was a lifelong wheat and cattle farmer and rancher, known to use a hammer to make a truck run better and not a stranger to four‑letter words. He enjoyed hunting coyotes, raccoons, and quail, and riding dirt bikes in his younger years. He was the official chauffeur for his children, taking them to rodeo and basketball competitions. He loved having his family—especially his grandchildren—around.

Donnie was a member of the Durham Baptist Church, where he was baptized at the age of nine. He served on the Roger Mills County Memorial Hospital Board as well as the ASCS Board. Donnie had a larger‑than‑life personality. He especially loved April Fool’s Day and would prank his children, much to their frustration. He loved to laugh, and his children often accused him of having a warped sense of humor. He was black‑and‑white in his opinions and never hesitated to express them. He considered arguing a form of entertainment and delighted in proving his point of view as the only way. The countless cousins who came to the farm during the summer labeled it “Camp Donnie,” as he made them feel right at home with chores and rules he deemed important to ensure they became productive citizens.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his eight siblings.

Donnie is survived by his wife of 72 years, Jo Nell, of the home; four children: Debbie Davis and husband Jim of Burns Flat, OK; Janie Arnold and husband Mike of Amarillo, TX; Eddie York and wife Rhetta of Blanchard, OK; and Jeremy York and wife Jennifer of Durham, OK; five grandchildren: Jordan Cook and husband Nocona, Jacob York, Price York, Tyler York and girlfriend Brianna Allen, and Sophia York; two great‑grandchildren: Denton Cook and Baylor Cook; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family expresses sincere appreciation to Post Acute Medical Care, Integris Baptist Medical Center, Bell Avenue Nursing Center, and Comforting Hands Hospice for the medical care shown to Donnie.

2 Corinthians 4:17 — For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Services will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Durham Baptist Church.

Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Whinery Funeral Service & Cremation Center, Elk City, OK.

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