Donald Ray Boatman

Donald Ray Boatman, retired YMCA director, 82, of Bartlesville, died Wednesday in Bartlesville. Donald was born the son of Robert and Ethel (Fox) Boatman on July 18, 1933, in Gentry, Arkansas. While Donald was still young, his family moved to Porum, Oklahoma, before settling and starting school in Muskogee. He graduated Muskogee High School in 1952, then attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah for two years before joining the U.S. Army, serving stateside as a clerk typist. After his honorable discharge in 1956, he finished his education and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in education. During this time, he married Maraleen Harmon and three lovely children were born, Donna, Steve and Vicki. Later in life, Don met Joy Ann Petersen while working in Tulsa and they married on Dec. 1, 1990, in Warner, OK. Don lived a life of service to his fellow men. His first position after college was with the Boy Scouts. After a few years he started his career with the YMCA, first in Bartlesville, then Muskogee and Tulsa, retiring after 33 years of service in 1994. Don loved his job and started many new programs at the Ys he directed and led many out of debt, strengthening the community’s support for its youth and family programs. Don had many passions in life which mostly centered on traveling and adventure. Donald loved to watch TV westerns, and Law and Order. Over the years, he traveled with Joy to some 45 states in their RV. They ventured overseas with memorable trips to China, Europe and Hawaii. For a few months, he took up building bird houses which Joy liked to joke about being the most expensive presents Don gave to friends and family. He enjoyed flying and owned his own plane with a group of fellow pilots and friends. Don and Joy flew to many family reunions in Arkansas and locally for fun. They have been members of Tyro Christian Church since moving to the area in 2002. Don is survived by his loving wife of the home Joy Ann Boatman; five children, Donna Boatman of Bartlesville, Steve Boatman and Dona or Broken Arrow, Vicki Victoria Clements of Oologah, Cheryl Delk and Mike of Skiatook, and John Petersen and Leslie of Owasso; as well as 12 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, one sister Adele Weaver, and two brothers, Joe Boatman and LaVangh Boatman. Don’s family will receive friends on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, from 6-8 p.m. at the Davis Family Funeral Home Chapel, 918-534-3030, 113 S. Osage (Hwy. 75). Dewey, OK. Visitation without family will be Friday 10-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Tyro Christian Church. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, at the Davis Family Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery in Muskogee, OK. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared with Don’s family at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Donald Ray Boatman

July 18, 1933 - December 9, 2015