Obituaries

Donald Kent Ooten, 75, of Sherman, passed away on Thanksgiving, 2022, at Plano Medical Center. A Celebration of Donnie’s life will be held at a later date at the family’s home.

Donnie was born December 31, 1946, in Sherman, Texas, to Edwin and Nina Ooten. He was raised in Sherman and attended Sherman schools. He married Joyce Dodson on June 5, 1964. He worked at Burlington Cotton Mill before he began his first career at Texas Instruments in 1968. Donnie retired in 2010 after 42 years. He began his second career as a fishing guide on Lake Texoma and continued hosting trips until his passing.

Donnie was a mess! He never met a stranger and he loved his family. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and cook. He was an extremely hard worker who loved being outdoors and loved tending his garden with his great grandchildren and then would play poker with his friends all night. Donnie had a very positive outlook on life and he insisted on enjoying every second. He was a larger than life character and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Donnie was preceded in death by his son, Donald Wayne, his parents, and a brother, Wayne. He is survived by his wife Joyce of Sherman; two daughters: Teresa Polonchak and husband John of Denison, and Carol Strong and husband Richard of Sherman; three grandchildren: Ashley Ballenger and husband Brian of Sherman, Zackary Felder and wife Scarlett of Ector, and Jarrett Strong of Sherman; seven great grandchildren: Breanna, Abbigale, Bryce, Levi, Dean, Owen, and Zane; two brothers: Larry Ooten and wife Ann of Cartwright, Oklahoma, and Gerald Ooten of Callisburg; sister, Peggy Dagenais and husband Ray of Sherman; sister Shirley Woodson; sister in law, Barbara Ooten of Sherman; many nieces, nephews and cousins.