Obituary for Donald Lockwood

Donald E. Lockwood

April 11, 1944 – January 22, 2023

Donald Edward Lockwood, 78, of Ponca City, OK, passed away on January 22, 2023, with his wife, Tudy, at his side. A Rosary service will be held at 6:00 PM, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at Trout Funeral Home Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 AM, Thursday, January 26, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Carson Krittenbrink officiating. Inurnment will immediately follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 9:45 AM. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Don was born on April 11, 1944, in Anamosa, IA, to Leo E. and Mary J. (Kirst) Lockwood. Don graduated from St. Mary’s High School in North Washington, IA before attending Loras College in Dubuque, IA. He later finished his degree at Oklahoma State University.

In July 1966, Don was drafted into the Marine Corps and based at Camp Lejeune, NC, where he served for two years. On January 7, 1967, an Iowa blizzard did nothing to stop Don from marrying Tudy. They were married for 56 wonderful, glorious, and happy years and raised 4 amazing daughters. After moving from Camp Lejeune to Minneapolis, MN, the growing family settled in Ponca City in 1969, where Don would go on to work at CONOCO for 35 years.

He grew to love the town and offered his time and energy to several groups and projects. Don was an active member at St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he made many memories with the men’s softball team, and as coach of the women’s softball team. He also served on the Parish Council as a member and as President. Don continued to serve Ponca City in various roles as a member of the Ponca City School Board where he helped start “The Great Escape” graduation celebration; as a member of the boards of the Opportunity Center and Cherokee Strip Credit Union; and as Club Manager at the Ponca City Country Club after his retirement from CONOCO. His hobbies included playing golf, cards, and supporting the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

He leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Tudy Lockwood, of the home; daughters, Chris Curtis of Dallas, TX; Kim Myers and her husband, Troy, of Frisco, TX, Julie Gorske and her husband, Paul, of Savannah, TX; Lori Nelson and her husband, DJ, of Hurst, TX; grandchildren, Erin Curtis, Morgan Myers, Ethan Myers, Lindsey Gorske, Logan Gorske, Kinley Nelson and Camden Nelson; brother, Roy Wiemerslage and his wife, Pam; sister, Joann Congdon and her husband, Steve; and the many other children to whom he acted as Dad. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Kaye Nosbisch.

Life with Don was never boring. His love for spending time with family and friends was evident in the numerous family vacations, weekends spent on Ponca Lake, late-night water balloon fights, “ooh ahh” practice for the July 4th fireworks, Halloween haunted houses, and car-hood sledding. Becoming a grandpa put a sparkle in Don’s eyes and seemed to bring out even more of the kid in him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 408 S 8th St, Ponca City, OK 74601, or St. Mary’s Catholic School, 415 S 7th St, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home