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Man of God. Man of Faith. Ours, but for a moment. God's forever.
The world was a better place because of Dr. Donald Dean, “Bo” Potter and a lesser place because he’s gone. At 10:20 AM, January 30, 2022, Don took his last breath on earth and his first steps in heaven. The Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Don will take place on Saturday, February 19, 2 PM, at First Baptist Church Sanctuary in Ponca City, OK. Face masks are encouraged. Those unable to attend the Funeral Ceremony, may attend virtually on the Trout Funeral Home website, www.troutfuneralhome.com and click on the live-stream or toolbar icon on the top right corner after 1:45 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601.
Don was a simple man with four core beliefs that shaped his life: God, Family, Country, and Community. He was born on May 4, 1952, in Oklahoma City, OK and grew up in Boise City, OK. Don was a devout follower of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, having made a profession of faith and was baptized as a young boy. While in high school, he lettered all four years in football, basketball, and track. He played tight-end as a freshman and sophomore and quarterback his junior and senior years. He also played American Legion baseball for three years. Upon graduation in 1970, Don was scouted by several Major League Baseball teams.
Don attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated in 1975 with high honors. Upon graduation, he taught junior high science in Wagoner, OK, where he was also an assistant coach for multiple sports. After watching the team doctor, a chiropractor, help the injured players on the field, Don decided to change careers. He attended Palmer School of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa, where he served as chaplain for the Delta Sigma Chi Fraternity. Don was introduced to his future wife, Mary Anne Sposato, by her sister, Donna Cannon. They were married at the home of Dr. Gary and Donna Cannon in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 14, 1980.
Upon graduating Summa Cum Laude from Palmer School of Chiropractic, Don and Mary Anne chose Ponca City, OK after visiting seventy-seven communities in four states in 1980 and 1981. Don and Mary Anne thought Ponca City would be the best place to raise a family, start his practice, and serve their community. They never regretted this decision. He began Potter Chiropractic Clinic on Monday, November 2, 1981. He truly enjoyed working with long-time employees, Rosa Garrison, Mary Steichen, and Margareta Rains. He admired their loyalty, strong work-ethic compassion and trustworthiness. In December 2009, long-time friend, Dr. Scott Kirkpatrick, purchased Don’s practice and he continued working with Dr. Kirkpatrick until his death.
Don began each day reading his Bible. In Ponca City, Don attended First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and taught Sunday school for 32 years. He and Mary Anne were Co-Directors of the Singles and Seventh Grade Sunday School Departments. He served on multiple church committees.
He loved his family with every fiber of his being. Don was a very hands-on dad. He enjoyed coaching Shannan, Grant, and Megan’s sports teams, as well as taking one of them to lunch each week. When he became a G-Dad, he drove his twin grandsons, Landon and Maddox, to school every day, until he was diagnosed with Covid four days before he died. He continued to show his love for his daughter, Megan and his two grandsons by bringing them breakfast every Saturday. He attended every one of Landon and Maddox’s sporting events until his two cancers kept him from going at times. Many times he went when he was quite ill; he wanted to show the twins how much he loved and supported them.
Don was committed to the people of Ponca City by serving multiple terms on the Ponca City Airport Board, YMCA Board, and Operation Pioneer Spirit Board. He and Mary Anne were co-presidents of the Trout PTA. He was also a member of the Noon Lions Club and Ambucs.
He loved playing golf, baseball, basketball and watching football games, especially OU. He also enjoyed fishing, playing chess, and rocking to sleep his children, grandchildren, and the First Baptist Bed Babies. Don played on the First Baptist Church baseball and basketball teams and he played noon basketball with his YMCA friends. For several years, Don was a Team Teacher for Parker School of Chiropractic, Dallas, Texas, and was voted Chiropractor of the Year by his fellow chiropractors.
Few people knew that during his lifetime, Don suffered from seven different cancers beginning in 1978. He continued to work every day, in spite of having two Stage Four cancers the last 2 ½ years of his life. Don did not miss work unless he was having surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Don’s passion was being a chiropractor and serving his patients until his death.
He is survived by his beloved, Mary Anne, his three children, Shannan Schibelski and husband, Ronnie Schibelski, of New York City; Grant Potter and fiancé, Natalie Blankenship, of Edmond, Oklahoma; Megan Potter, Ponca City, Oklahoma. He was a very loving G-Dad to his three precious grandchildren, Peyton Schibelski, Maddox Kerchee and Landon Kerchee. He cherished his two sisters and their spouses, Nikki Sharp and husband; Tom Sharp, (deceased) of Guthrie, Oklahoma and Terrye Coffelt and husband, Mike Coffelt. He dearly loved his two cousins, Tommye Sexton and husband, Stan Sexton, of Kansas City, Missouri; and Kelly Collier and wife, Laurie Collier, of Boquete, Chirique, Panama. He enjoyed being an uncle to over 90 nieces and nephews.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are some of his dearest friends: Maddox Kerchee, Landon Kerchee, Rev. Larry Heslip, John Maddox, Stan Sexton, Mike Coffelt, Tom Sharp, Dr. Gary Cannon, John Davis, Steve Snyder, Dr. Scott Kirkpatrick, and Danny Head. He is also survived by his two rescue dogs, Snookie and Charlie.
He was greeted in heaven by his parents, Don and Betty Potter, who were killed in a plane accident on May 21, 1989; his grandparents Elmer and Irene Potter, Boise City, Oklahoma; Ernest and Effie Hemphill, Clayton, New Mexico. He always had a very special relationship with his deceased Uncle Craig and Aunt Betty Collier, Lawrence, Kansas.
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