Don Thomas Darks

Don Thomas Darks (aka: Dad, Don, Doc, Papa Darks, Farm Papa) will always be remembered for his dedication to his family, friends, and Country. Don started his life’s journey in Holdenville, Oklahoma, back on March 15, 1946. This journey would lead him from the small town of Wetumka, Oklahoma, where his father was the mayor, to finishing high school on the Navajo Nation. He even had a short stint helping to run a renowned Navajo Nation trading post and became moderately fluent in trade language. After a short vacation in Vietnam as a Navy Medical Corpsman, he then represented the University of Oklahoma as a RufNek. (Boomer Sooner!) His hobbies have changed over the years from riding bulls, sailing, snow skiing, fishing at the lake, mountains, and of course taking care of his home, horses, dogs, and cats. Don will always be remembered for his love and dedication to his 6 children and 9 grandchildren. If a man is measured by the amount of friends, then Don’s rankings would be off the chart.

As we all know Don’s love and soulmate was his dear Lori. They shared 37 years of marriage while living in 7 homes, 4 states, and 3 countries. When it comes to a vacation, they were pros. Some of their favorites were the Bahamas, Maui, Cancun, Key West, China, South Korea, Canada, and of course we can’t forget the RV trips with the kids all over the United States. They both kept each other busy with broken bones from horse falls, cancer surgeries, doctor appointments - but mostly their love for each other. As their story goes: As much as Lori loves Don; he loves her more……yup, he won.

We can still hear him saying his classic lines that he has picked up during his lifetime, “That’s a Time”, “Between you me and the fence post”, “Boomer Sooner” and “Giddy Up.”

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Ora Jo Darks; son, Bryan T. Darks (Kristin A. Darks); and grandson, Christopher Boucher.

Don is survived by his wife, Lori K. Darks of Weatherford, Texas; five children and their spouses, Tanya Ann Boucher (Stephen Sherman), Troy T. Darks (Rachel Darks), Ryan T. Darks (Jennifer Darks), Sarah R. Dunning (Hector Roman), and Randy L. Dunning (J.J. Arends); and eight grandchildren, Tayah, Jennie, Dycen, Aly, Lauren, Kaylee, Isaiah, and Jada.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel, 913 N. Elm Street, Weatherford, Texas 76086. Interment will take place at Wetumka Cemetery, Wetumka, Oklahoma 74883.