Donald Clyde Cheek, Sr.

Donald Clyde Cheek, Sr., “Don”, age 87, longtime Headrick resident, passed away Friday, May 9, 2025.

Don was born in Lindsay, OK on July 9, 1937 to parents Clyde William Cheek and Grace Harriett (Keeler) Cheek. Don was raised in Lindsay and was a proud graduate from the class of 1956 from Lindsay High School. Shortly after high school, Don was drafted by the United States Army. He went to bootcamp at Fort Polk, LA and was transferred to the Oklahoma Army National Guard where he received an honorable discharge for his service. Don went to work for the Oklahoma Tire and Supply Company, later named OTASCO in Lawton, OK. There he met Mary Jo Blundell “Jody” with the help of her brother-in-law, Billy Bone, also employed by Otasco. Don and Mary Jo were united in marriage on December 24, 1961, at Pentecostal Holiness Church in Durant, OK, where Mary Jo was raised. They have enjoyed the last 63 years together.

As a young married couple they settled in Lawton, OK until OTASCO transferred Don to Fayetteville, AR as the store manager. OTASCO sent the young family to a few other towns before they made their way to Altus, OK. Don turned down the offer to be promoted to District Manager to stay in Altus to raise his family. They settled in Headrick in a home he and his family built off of Highway 62. Upon the completion of his OTASCO career, Don owned and operated the Coast to Coast Store in Altus and then renamed his business Western Auto until he retired in 1991. Don didn’t stay retired too long and went to work for Wilmes Ford in Altus as a Service Manager until he fully retired in 1995.

Don enjoyed raising Quarter Horses until a barn fire halted his operation. As Mary Jo got ready to retire he surprised her with their cattle operation. During this time, Don appointed himself “Chief Care Taker” for his family. He took his role very seriously; supporting his family during illnesses, hospital stays, and being present at all the grandchildren’s activities. He was determined not to miss a single thing. Don truly loved helping and taking care of all his family. Don enjoyed riding horses, promoting our local Great Plains Stanpede Rodeo, and participating in the Doan’s Crossing every year. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR, the Cowboy channel, OU Football and Softball. Don was 1 of 9 children and he loved to host the Cheek-Keeler Family Reunion every Memorial Day in Lindsay, OK. Don was a loving husband, father, Papa, and friend who will be missed greatly by all who had the privilege to know him.

Don is preceded in death by his parents; all but one of his brothers and sisters, Ermyl Cheek, Maudele Bischoff, Fern Logan, Helen Wand, Wanda Fish, Wesley “Bud” Cheek, and Charlene Carter.

Family members left to honor Don’s legacy are his wife Mary Jo Cheek of their home in Headrick; his three children, son, Don C. Cheek, Jr. and his wife Ethelynn of Marlow, Oklahoma; two daughters, MSchell Cheek-Flowers and her husband James Flowers of Midland, Texas; and Necole Harrold and husband Troy, Jr. of Altus; his sister Judy Orem of Houston; eight grandchildren, Chance Kelly, Heather-Jo Smith, Joshua Kelly and his wife Jessica, Sarah Cheek, Johnathon Don Harrold, Jordan Harrold, Audra Dawn Cheek, and Jolee Harrold; three great grandchildren, Shelby Kelly, Acelee Smith, and Leilani Harrold; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, other family members, and many friends.

The family will greet friends at Visitation from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at Kincannon Funeral Home in Altus. Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at Kincannon Memorial Chapel in Altus with Brad Pryor officiating. Interment will follow services at Navajoe Cemetery in Friendship, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Oklahoma Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/oklahoma/ , in memory of Don Cheek, Sr.
The service livestream may be viewed at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0NzA3OTk0MTM2MjI4NCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== Online tributes may be made at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com.