Donald Ray Sissom

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Don was a man of unyielding integrity and character, committed to providing for and protecting his family. This trait led him to protect and serve not only his family but his community. Don served as a Tulsa Police Officer for 25 years. His strong moral compass and desire to protect served him and his community well.

Upon high school graduation, Don met and married Shirley Bickham. Don joined the Air Force and was stationed at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. Their first daughter, Donna, was born there. Upon his discharge from the Air Force, Don and family moved to Cleveland, Oklahoma, and then on to the new town of Mannford where their second daughter, Debbie, was born.

His true calling to protect and serve saw him enter the Tulsa Police Academy where he graduated as a rookie police officer in 1972. In 1978, a third child, David, was born.

Don later married Joyce Hover on August 1, 1984. They were married for 36 years until his recent passing. Don was known as “Papa Don” to 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Don was brought up on a farm and was a resident of the original town of Mannford. He was a member of his FFA chapter and enjoyed working with his hands to care for animals and help around the farm. As he grew up, Don loved to spend time with his father, fixing things around the farm or tending to a garden. He had a talent with anything mechanical. He could fix just about anything. He could often be found out in the barn working on tractors, mowers, or any number of other things that needed to be fixed. He never strayed far from his upbringing as a country boy. He loved to be outside.

After retiring from the police force in 1996, Don devoted himself to restoring old tractors. He was a member of the Antique Tractor Club and proudly showed off his latest restoration at tractor shows across the area. He served in many leadership roles in the tractor club, serving as president, vice president and secretary. In addition to tractors, he also restored a 1952 Ford, just like the one he had when he was growing up. He enjoyed showing that off at numerous car shows and became involved in the Tulsa Early Ford Car Club. Don also served on the Pawnee Water District #2 Board for 12 years, serving as President several times. Don loved to volunteer at the Mannford Historical Museum serving on the board as president and vice president. He was proud of his roots and eager to show off the history of the town of Mannford. Don was also an active member in the retired Fraternal Order of Police organization.

Don was preceded in death by parents, D.W. and Walsie Sissom, and sister Helen Scovil and husband John. He is survived by wife, Joyce; daughter Donna Casey and husband Chris; daughter Debbie Haase and husband Joel, and son David Sissom. He is also survived by stepdaughter Joy Hartsock and husband Bill; stepson Brian Hover and wife Brenda; and stepdaughter Laura Fulton.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 1, 2020 from 10:00 - 7:00pm at Chapman-Black Funeral Home and his service will be on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 10:00am Oakhill Cemetery, Mannford, Oklahoma. You may share a memory at www.chapman-black.com.