Carney Cemetery Photo

Carney, Lincoln County, Oklahoma

Submitted & © by: Rex Warlick

Submitted & © by: Rex Warlick

Submitted & © by: Terry Dudley

Donald Hackworth was born May 5, 1922 to Noah and Della Hackworth near the community of Dalton Springs, Arkansas. He was the second son of a household that would eventually be made up of five girls and two boys. He passed away December 25, 2012 in Cushing at the age of 90.

Don’s family moved to Oklahoma when he was six years old and he grew up on the family farm in the Carney/Tryon area. He joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and fought in WWII assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. Don first saw combat on the island of Luzon in the Philippines assigned as a Forward Scout and later became a Squad Leader. After 105 days of combat against a fanatical enemy in mountainous terrain of jungles, caves and tunnels, they reached their objective, Balete Pass, the Gateway to Northern Luzon. The cost to the enemy was high. 142 tanks destroyed and over 11,000 Japanese troops killed by the 25th. At the wars' end, Don was stationed in Japan before returning home in 1944 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. His decorations and citations included The Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star and a Good Conduct Medal.

After his return to civilian life, Don lived primarily in the Carney and Chandler area. He farmed and later began driving a truck. He worked a number of years delivering propane and eventually ended up as a Road-grader operator for Lincoln County where he reluctantly retired at the age of 80.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Noah and Della; sisters, Reva Martin, Pauline Tyler, Ruth Schmidt, Lena Gullick; brother, Hanford Hackworth. He is survived by his wife, Bessie Faye of Chandler; sister, Ina Boling and her husband Wilfred of Lindsay; son, Freddie Hackworth and his wife Donna of Purcell; step-children, Rex Warlick and his wife Debra of Del City, Debbie Warlick of Agra, Scott Warlick of Agra; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A funeral was held at 2:00 Saturday, December 29, 2012 at the Lehman Funeral Home with interment following in the Carney Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.