Donald Erwin DeShazo

Donald Erwin DeShazo, 99, of Dewey, was called home to be with his Savior on Thursday, December 19, 2024, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Don was born August 16, 1925, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to Earl Loren DeShazo and Josephine May (Ott) DeShazo. Don received his schooling in Bartlesville and Dewey, graduating from Dewey High School in 1943. From 1939 until 1942 Don worked part-time at DeShazo Rexall Drug in Dewey. Don entered the U.S. Navy on December 29, 1942, during World War II and served 38 months, a total of which 26 months was sea duty. Don served as a gunner’s mate in the Armed Guard aboard two Liberty ships, the Joseph L. Meek and Lucien Labaudt. Don also served on the C-3 troop transport ship Mormachawk. Don served aboard the Joseph L. Meek, (a ship owned by the Alaska Steamship Company), for a year in the Aleutian Islands. His second tour of duty was aboard the Lucien Labaudt in the Hawaiian Islands, Enawetok, Guam (Marshall Islands); the Philippine Islands. While on the C-3 troop transport ship Mormachawk he traveled back to the Philippines to bring troops back. During his service career he received the Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Philippine Liberation Campaign Medal. After receiving his honorable discharge on March 16, 1946, Don returned to Dewey and continued to help his parents in the drug store. In the fall of 1946 Don enrolled at the University of Oklahoma School of Pharmacy, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Pharmacists were later issued a Doctor of Pharmacy certificate. Upon graduation, Don returned to Dewey and went to work for his parents in the family business, DeShazo Rexall Drug. Don, along with his brother Kirk purchased DeShazo Rexall from their parents and in August 1965 Don and Kirk opened Boulevard Pharmacy. Don continued to work in the Dewey business while Kirk managed Boulevard. In 1971, they closed the DeShazo Rexall and Don joined Kirk at Boulevard where Don remained until 1985 when the DeShazo Brothers decided to enter the oil business in a big way. Don continued work in the oilfield until 2001 when they sold all oil interests. In 2006 they were persuaded by Gene Call to again pursue oil. Don and Kirk were in the oil business again until 2018 when Kirk passed and oil properties were shut down. When Don was in college, he was a member of the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. Don was also a member of various Masonic Orders. He is a member of the Dewey Lodge No. 466, a lifetime member of the Scottish Rites, a lifetime member of the York Rite, a lifetime member of the Akdar Shrine, a life member of American Legion Post 105, a member of VFW. Don was a charter member of Memorial Christian Church where he served faithfully as Elder, Worship Leader, Sunday School Teacher and Treasurer. Don was a loving husband and father, influential church leader and respected in the business community. Don is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Margaret, of the home; two children, Desiree DeShazo Shrum and Michael, and Mark DeShazo, both of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; one sister, Sudi DeShazo Freeland of Bartlesville; four grandchildren, Austin Campbell of Tulsa, Lukas Lindsay of Bartlesville, Dylan DeShazo and Kylie DeShazo, both of Colorado; daughter-in-law, Lana DeShazo; sister-in-law, Jean Little; and brother-in-law, David and Carol Morrison. Don is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Earl DeShazo Jr., Leon “Tude” Gordon, and Kirk DeShazo; two sisters, Ann Hamilton and Nona Pebworth; brothers-in-law, Charles Pebworth and Jeff Freeland. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Memorial Christian Church, 1201 N. Virginia, Bartlesville, OK 74003 or The Journey Home, 900 Washinton Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 03, 2025, at Memorial Christian Church in Bartlesville with Pastor Eric Koenig officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Carter Davis and Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Donald Erwin DeShazo

August 16, 1925 - December 19, 2024