Donald E. Formby, Sr., age 83 and resident of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2017 in The Journey Home, Bartlesville. Donald Eugene Formby was born on August 9, 1933 in Hominy, Oklahoma. He was the son of William "Bill" Formby and Rosie (Spradlin) Formby. He grew up in Hominy where he received his education. He worked as a paper boy and also worked in grocery stores as a young boy. After he received his formal education, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in May of 1954. He married Virgie Ballard two weeks before being deployed to Germany. In April of 1956, Donald received his honorable discharge and he and Virgie settled in Bartlesville. At that time, he became an employee of the Reda Pump Company (now Schlumberger). After his employment with Reda Pump, he became employed with Safeway in Bartlesville where he worked for 33 years as the produce manager. Later he worked for Walmart for three years before becoming fully retired. Donald loved to "piddle" in his workshop. At one time, he attended class at Tri-County Tech where he learned auto mechanics and electrical wiring. He dearly loved his family and will be missed. Survivors include his wife, Virgie, of the family home; his son, Donald E. Formby, II and his wife Susan of Olathe, Kansas; one brother, Melvin Formby, of College Station, Texas; two grandchildren, Tyler Formby of Olathe, and Jacob Formby of Pittsburg, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Dolly Jackson, Gaynel Dempsey, Alta Formby and Leona Copeland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mr. Formby to The Journey Home, 3406 S.E. Kentucky, Bartlesville, OK 74006. Services will be held on Friday at 2:00 PM at the Word of Truth Fellowship Church, 16097 N.E. Bison Rd., Bartlesville. Pastor Jim Anderson will be the officiant.
Service Details
Friday, March 3rd, 2017 2:00pm, Word of Truth Fellowship Church