Donald N. Scott

Donald Neil Scott was born September 16, 1927, near South Coffeyville, Oklahoma on the family farm, to Clarence and Bessie Scott.   He passed away on January 15, 2024, at the age of 96.   He grew up on the farm there in Nowata County, attending Snow Creek School through the 8^th grade, and then attending and graduating from Field Kindley High School in Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1945.

Shortly after his 18^th birthday, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and in fact was on his way by train to Oklahoma City to be inducted when it was announced that the war was over.  As he liked to tell it, when he arrived in Oklahoma City, everyone was partying in the street.  “I was just a little boy from the country; I thought they acted like that in the big city all the time.”  However, he continued  to San Diego, California where he completed his service in the Navy, and possibly partied a little too.

On December 26, 1948, he married Rita (King), and they made their home in Coffeyville where they welcomed their children Linda, Nancy, and Mike.  Don was a hard worker and devoted provider for his family to ensure the ones he loved had everything they needed and more.  He could make or fix about anything he set his mind to, and in most cases was a bit of a perfectionist. He and Rita were married for nearly 75 years before her death in September of 2023. 

Don continued to work on the family farm in Nowata County, but also worked as a machinist for Jensen Brothers Manufacturing in Coffeyville for over 20 years before returning to farming full-time.  He raised wheat, corn, and alfalfa while growing the cattle herd. He served a term on the Board of Directors of the Kanoma Co-Op Association, and continued actively farming and raising cattle into his 90’s. He loved the farm and being outside, checking on the cattle and, with Rita by his side, introducing his children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren to the farm and feeding the cattle “cow cookies” while headed to one of the ponds to go fishing.

As far as hobbies go, Don restored a few cars and antique tractors, and as mentioned before could fix just about anything. He liked to hunt and fish too. But Don’s greatest love, by far, was flying.  He obtained his private pilot’s license in 1948 and after joining a local flying club for a while he purchased and restored his first Funk airplane in 1960. Later, he owned and restored a 1947 Luscombe and had a third Funk plane in the project stage at the time of his passing.  Somewhere he picked up the nickname of “Scottie”, and was well known around the Coffeyville Airport, as well as other small airports in the area, fly-ins, and first Saturday breakfasts in Ponca City. He was very involved in the annual Funk Aircraft Reunions that used to take place in Coffeyville and loved every minute of it. He liked to fly over the farm, and at one time had a grass landing strip he named Snow Creek International.  He was a member of the Quiet Birdmen Tulsa Chapter, Experimental Aircraft Association, Funk Aircraft Owners Association, and a board member of the Coffeyville Aviation Heritage Museum.  Rita often accompanied him on his flying trips. On their first date, he asked her if she would like to go flying.  She said she did.  She didn’t know it was his first flight since he had soloed!

Don was also a member of American Legion Post 20, and VFW Post 1022.

Don was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Rita; and a brother, Lee Scott.  He is survived by his children, Linda and her husband, Monte Compston; Nancy and her husband, Stan Cole; and Michael and his wife, Jackie Scott; as well as ten grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley and brother-in-law Ray Welch; and longtime brother-in-law and friend Kenneth King.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 2pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville.  Beginning at 1pm the family will receive friends until service time.  Don will be laid to rest next to his wife Rita and his parents in Elmwood Cemetery in Coffeyville following services. The family request memorial contributions be made payable to either Parkinson Association, Alzheimer's Association or American Cancer Society. To leave a message of condolence, share a memory or view services visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com