August 14, 1947 ~ Oct. 3, 2016
A performance celebrating the life of Mr. David R. Abbott Jr., 69, Enid, is 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in the Gaslight Theatre. Complete cremation care and services are under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.
David was born on August 14, 1947, to David Sr. and Julia Mae House Abbott, in Colorado Springs, Colo., and passed from this life on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, after a brief but hard-fought battle with lung cancer.
David was raised as the son of a minister and grew up in various communities in Colorado. He graduated from Pueblo Centennial High School in 1965. He attended Colorado State University as a theater major. As a young adult, he worked in the resort industry for several years. In 1968, he married Juanita Henry, and from this union came two children.
David moved to Enid in 1970. After a variety of jobs, including serving as the choir director for numerous churches, he began working at the United States Post Office, where he retired in 2014 after 32 years of service.
He met the love of his life, Mary McDonald while performing at Gaslight Theatre. They were married Jan. 26, 1985 in Enid. He was active in the Gaslight Theatre for over 40 years as an actor, director, board member and grant writer. He was a passionate and dedicated thespian. He was a founding member of Shakespeare in the Park. He served on the Enid Public Library Board and the Enid Chautauqua Council. He also volunteered as a docent at the Cherokee Strip Heritage Center.
He is survived by his wife, Mary McDonald; son, David Abbott III and wife, Melinda, of Chappell, Neb.; daughter, Larissa Costello and husband, Jim, of Topeka, Kan.; step-daughter Jessica Leak and wife, Amber Holden, of San Leandro, Calif.; three grandchildren, Andrew Abbott, Ariel Abbott, and Mariah Spangler; by siblings: Paul Abbott and wife Sharon; Beth Barnes and husband, Bud; Carol Tadmor-Martin and husband, Lynn; Mary Kreimier; Deborah Harker; Jerry Abbott and wife, Cathy; Julie Revell and husband, Steve; Betty Schaal and husband, Ivan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Gaslight Theatre with Brown-Cummings serving as custodian of the funds, 400 W. Maple, Enid, OK 73701. All donations will be matched up to $10,000.00 by Park Avenue Thrift.
Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.Brown-Cummings.com.