Dewey County Obituary
Trail Cemetery

© Shaw-Redinger Funeral Home
VICI, DEWEY CO, OK
(permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

DONALD "DON" LEE DAY

August 14, 1931 - February 19, 2018

Donald “Don” Lee Day, 86, of Urbana, passed away Monday, February 19, 2018 at Carle Foundation Hospital. A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 24th at the Twin City Bible Church located at 806 W. Michigan Ave. in Urbana. Funeral services will be held at the church immediately following the visitation at 3:00 p.m. Pastor Shannon Caughy will officiate. Burial will be held at Trail Cemetery in Dewey County, Oklahoma.

Don was born August 14, 1931 in Trail, Oklahoma to parents George Dennis Day and Bertha Mildred (Twyman) Day. They raised him during the Great Depression on their homestead in western Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. Don became a Christian at a young age and developed his faith throughout his life. On January 16, 1954, he married Dorothea Rose Lawton Bamburg; she preceded him in death in February of 2000. Together they had three children, who survive: Cheryl Schweitzer (Eric), of O’Fallon, MO, Keith Day (Gail), of Jacksonville, FL, and Dennis Day (Jackie), of New Market, AL. He met Sarah Winger and on November 23, 2001, they wed in Oklahoma; she survives. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Bobbie, Edward, and Charles.

After graduating high school, Don entered college and joined the U.S. Air Force ROTC. He was called to active duty and became a B-36 pilot with the Strategic Air Command.Don earned his first degree (B.S.) from Oklahoma A&M, in 1954. In 1959, he earned his second degree (M.S.) from the University of Missouri. Only three years after that, Don earned his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. He then went on to become a professor in the Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Illinois for more than 32 years. By the end of his career, Don had become associated with nine different universities.

Through his work, Don traveled extensively, visiting 32 foreign countries on advising assignments. He was well-traveled in the United States as well, having lived in nine states.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Don continued his love of aviation. He was an avid pilot and over his lifetime he received many awards, both for educational and aviary endeavors. The last award he received before his death was the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in 2017. He also developed the Aero Place subdivision, which is a residential airport.

Don’s interests were extremely varied. He enjoyed flying, rope tricks, woodworking, tinkering with machinery, hunting, and shooting. He also enjoyed music and played violin and other instruments. One of his greatest interests in life was traveling with his wife, Sarah.

Don supported many local organizations, including the Young Eagles, 4-H, Future Farmers of America, ASAE, and the Exchange Club.

Mr. Day was a member of Twin City Bible Church and enjoyed the J.O.Y. group. His family and church were the center of his life. He leaves a legacy of faith and love.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Twin City Bible Church, American Cancer Society, or the Young Eagles.