Lincoln County Obituary
Parkland Cemetery

© Palmer Marler Funeral Home
Date unknown
Reprinted with permission
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

Donald Gene Carmichael

January 30, 1949 ~ April 29, 2019

Donald Gene Carmichael, “Donnie” or “Boze”, was born on January 30, 1949 in Tulare, California, son to Port and Violet Fern Carmichael. At the age of three, the family moved to Cushing, Oklahoma where Donnie graduated from Cushing High School. Donnie had a unique, baritone or bass voice and enjoyed singing with the Cushing High School “Choraliers” and with the brethren and family.

At the age of eighteen, Donnie was in the front passenger seat of a 1957 Chevy when it had a head on collision with an oncoming vehicle that had to swerve into his lane. Upon impact he was thrown face first through the windshield. After five hundred stitches in his face, a broken collarbone and two broken toes, all he complained about was his “two broken toes.” We are very thankful that God spared his life.

Donnie loved his siblings, Darrel, Hubert, Brownie Elvin, Violet, Daisy, Rosella, Galen and their spouses. In the “Carmichael Bunch”, nicknames were a commonplace. When playing football with the young kids, they said he was like a “bulldozer” because of his stout build and ability to mow everyone in his path down. Donnie was known as “Boze” because of his reputation of clowning around. He once wore a shirt that stated on the front, “I’m a leader of men”, and on the back it said, “…but a follower of women”.

On December 27, 1969, Donnie worked up the courage to marry Lynn Meisel in Oklahoma City. He had found the only woman he would not only “follow”, but who would forever be by his side. He even revised his trademark shirt by writing “Lynn” in place of “women”.

On their wedding day, something didn’t smell right! Donnie was warned by someone that limburger cheese was rubbed on the door handles. Donnie was a gentleman and told Lynn not to touch the stinky cheese. He handed her a napkin to display his chivalry but in the excitement Lynn grabbed the cheese coated door handle with her other hand.

Before Donnie and Lynn could drive off into the sunset, several men abducted Donnie and took him to Cushing where they threw him in the lake on that cold December day. They told Donnie he would have to go back to Oklahoma City to get Lynn, but as it turned out, her bridal party abducted her also, and drove to Cushing. Lynn figured the whole thing out when they stopped for a Coke, and saw Donnie’s green Road Runner with painted stripe wheels speed past them on the highway.

Donnie and Lynn moved to Wichita, Kansas where Donnie did his service work in a hospital during the Vietnam war. A year later, the Lord delivered their first blessing, daughter Stephanie Renee, known as the redhead…. correction, as Donnie called it, strawberry blonde-haired daughter. After the end of his assignment, Donnie and Lynn packed up their vehicle and moved to Enid. Two years later, the Lord brought them their next blessing, the gift of gab, known as Shanda Yvette. And we know that Donnie and Lynn must have been busy with the two girls because it was five and half years before their next blessing, Jarod Don. One would think that three is enough, but not for Donnie and Lynn. They received a surprise blessing eight and half years later when Brock Evan was born in 1987.

A couple years after working at the Pillsbury plant, Donnie moved on to begin his career as a Master Carpenter. After helping to build many custom homes, he joined the team at Advance Foods where he enjoyed demonstrating his craftsmanship. He enjoyed teaching and helping build anything and was a perfectionist. Every corner, every edge had to match exactly - and don’t even try to get away without sanding to a flawless finish! After 20 years with Advance-Pierre Foods in Enid he retired in 2015. A few months later they moved to Sapulpa and Donnie’s talents were put to use when he built their custom home.

While Donnie was in Enid, he assisted with the relocation of the Boomer Statue sculpted by Harold T Holden. His name is forever engraved on a plaque beside the statue located in downtown Enid.

Donnie was blessed with a variety of son and daughter-in-law’s. Stephanie went east and married a Yankee, Andrew. Shanda went west and married a Californian, Jim. Jarod went 5 miles all the way across Sapulpa and married Destinee. Brock finally found his perfect soulmate, Caitlin, a native Hoosier from Indiana.

Donnie thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren. Bryelle, Blade, Bentley and Cali all enjoyed clowning around with Papa Donnie! The kids could always look forward to the Mentos in his pocket. He got a big kick out of sitting on the couch and letting them all take turns punching his stomach to prove how tough he was. They were always impressed! He was excited for the next blessing of our family with the birth of Brock and Caitlin’s bundle of joy! Donnie was thrilled when Shanda married Jim and enjoyed having more grandkids and great grandkids.

Throughout his life, Donnie enjoyed many hobbies. Three wheeling, OU football and riding his motorcycle were his pass-times. His quiet calm demeanor would disappear whenever OU was playing – those around him knew when it was football season!

Donnie wasn’t a picky eater but beware of the restaurant offering crab legs on their buffet. Stacks and stacks of opened crab legs piled high on the table. Spicy food was no match for him. He never met a hot pepper he couldn’t defeat! And fresh vegetables from his garden were always amazing. He and Lynn loved to plant a garden every year! A man with a big heart, he enjoyed inviting company to their home. Donnie was always concerned if they had enough food to feed everyone because he always wanted to have plenty, especially pumpkin pie which was his favorite.

Donnie was baptized in the General Assembly and Church of the Firstborn on February 20, 1966. He was ordained a Deacon in the church on January 28, 2018 and though the title was never important to him, helping others was one of his greatest joys in life.

On April 29, 2019, Donnie passed peacefully from this life surrounded by loved ones. He never lost his Faith in the God who he served all his life and in whom he had total confidence. He is joining many of his loved ones including his parents, brothers Darrel and Brownie Elvin, son-in-law’s Shannon and Dallas, grandchildren Ashlyn, Britton, and Rhett, sister-in-law’s Cathy and Audree, and brother-in-law Bill.

Lynn always said, “If you want a timely response, ask the questions yesterday for answers you might need tomorrow.” Those that knew him were familiar with his way of rubbing his hand over his chin or the popular, “Well……………….” We have all had to endure “the wait.” It would make you wonder, “Did I say something wrong? Did he hear me? Does he know I am still here waiting for an answer?”

This will be a day in which we celebrate an incredible father, husband, and steward of God’s word.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thanks to all who visited, called, helped, brought food and prayed for Donnie. They appreciate all the love, care, and prayers!

Donnie’s life can be best expressed through this quote, “May the work I have done, speak for me.”