Dr. Donald Ray Woolery

Dr. Donald Ray Woolery was born June 28, 1933, in Arondale, Oklahoma, it was also known as Rainbow Hollow, and was located west of Hominy. He was the first born of Paul Harrison and Constance Pansy “Connie” (Hodge) Woolery.

Donald grew up in Hominy, and graduated from high school there in 1951. During high school he played French horn, sang in the choir and won several individual vocal competitions. He received a vocal scholarship to the University of Oklahoma.

After two years at OU, he decided theatrical life wasn’t what he wanted for the family he knew he would have. He enlisted in the Air Force where he became a navigator; he was stationed at Elington Air Force Base in Houston, Texas.

On September 4, 1951 he married the love of his life, June Dale Methvin. They returned to Houston until Donald completed his term of service after which they moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. While there, he attended the University of Tulsa where he studied geology for four years.

Donald, June and their two oldest children moved to Texas where he attended the University of Houston. In 1964, after four years, he graduated with his doctorate in optometry.

He attended the School of Biblical Studies in Owasso, Oklahoma, focusing on Biblical Greek. He also studied Biblical Hebrew at Tulsa Community College. His degrees included: Doctor

His degrees included: Doctor of Optometry, Optometric Medical Doctor, and Fellow in the American College of Optometric Physicians.

He was a licensed part-time minister, and he lead singing at the Hominy Church of Christ for over 55 years. He was a published author and a professional wood carver.

Donald entered eternal life on March 21, 2022 in Tulsa, at the age of 88 years old.

Donald and June’s descendants are their three children: Donald Douglas “Doug” Woolery and wife Nancy, of Tulsa, Dawn Raylene (Woolery) Prater and husband Randy, of Stroud, and Paul Dana “P.D.” Woolery and wife Marla, of Bristow; six grandchildren, Randall George Prater, Jr., of Chandler, Harrison Dirk Prater and wife Lyndsey, of Stroud, Devin Douglas Woolery and wife Denise, of Broken Arrow, Shelby Dawn (Woolery) Logue and husband Greg, of Stillwater, Jordan Paige (Woolery) Martin and husband Logan, of Depew, and Jacob Paul Woolery, of Bristow; 12 great-grandchildren, Haley Dawn Prater, Katherine Jane Woolery, Colby Parker Logue, Piper Marie Logue, Sarah Elizabeth Woolery, Daniel James Woolery, Clayle Harrison Prater, Kylie Fay Prater, Emma Ray Martin, Amelia Ann Constance Prater, Nathaniel Douglas Woolery and Tate Walker Martin.

To all his grandchildren he was known as Pockie.

He is also survived by his brothers, Ned Eugene Woolery and wife Myrna, of Hawaii and Robert Paul “Bob” Woolery and wife Darlene, of Hominy; also his brother-in-law Charles Rex Dotson and wife Linda, of Sand Springs, as well as many nephews, nieces, other family and friends.

Pall bearers are his grandsons, Randall George Prater, Jr., Harrison Dirk Prater, Devin Douglas Woolery, Jacob Paul Woolery, the husbands of his granddaughters, Greg Logue and Logan Martin and family friend Michael Witzman.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Carbondale Church of Christ, in Tulsa, with Lucian Ferrier officiating. Burial with military honors followed at A.J. Powell Memorial Cemetery in Hominy.

Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.