Donald James Stover

Donald James Stover (aka -Jimmy, Don, or Smokie) was born March 6, 1928, in Dallas, Texas to Donald Elbert and Ethel Edith (Whitehead) Stover. He left this world to be with his heavenly father on August 5, 2025 at the age of 97.

Don was a longtime resident of Oklahoma City, moving here with his parents from Revinia Park, Illinois. He has one brother, Tony and one sister, Donna. Don was known as Jimmy to his family since his dad was Don.

He attended several schools in Oklahoma City and received his high school diploma from the Central High School Adult Institute in 1950. Don went on to complete a Bachelors Degree in 1965. Don worked for several companies, including Wilson Packing Company, Kerr's Department store, The Oklahoma Compensation Bureau and Harper Oil Company.

Don served in the US Army as a Classified Control Clerk. He received the Good Conduct Medal. While in the service, he married Loretta Mae Cummins from Ringling, Oklahoma in 1955. Loretta was the daughter of Senith and Clyde Cummins.

After being discharged from the Army, Don returned home and was soon employed at the new Western Electric Pilot Plant. In 1983, he was transferred to Southwestern Bell Telephone Company to complete 30 years of service, retiring in 1987.

Don and Loretta were married for 41 years and have two children, Kelle Freels and John Stover. Loretta passed away in 1996 of a chronic lung disease. In 1998, Don met Malford (Mal) Schindler and became life partners until she passed in 2015. Don did a lot of traveling with Lorretta before her passing and continued the travel with Mal until her passing.

Don was always active with his hobbies - wood working, stamp collecting and church work. He was an active lay reader and Eucharistic lay minister for the Episcopal Church until he joined the Crossing Community Church with Mal. After moving to Yukon, he joined First United Methodist Church. Don serviced as a volunteer for the Mobile Meals Program for over 20 years as well as the Crossing Community Center and Clinic (2007 to 2019). Don was a scout master for the Boy Scouts for 10 years.

Don is preceded in death by his mother, Ethel Stover; father, Don Stover; wife Loretta Stover and life partner, Mal Schindler.

Don is survived by his daughter, Kelle Freels and her husband Bob Freels; son John Stover; Brother Tony Stover and his wife Glenda and sister Donna Jean Hester, as well as his granddaughter Kristi Clemmens and husband Brent; granddaughter Kaci Slightom and husband James; grandson John Paul Stover and wife Kimberly; grandson Cody Freels; and grandson Michael Shane Stover; great grandchildren Baylee, Gavin, Braydin, Kolten, Kennedy, Paisley, Jaxon, Donivan, and Shelby.

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