Donald J. Birdwell

Donald J. Birdwell transitioned from this life on January 4, 2023 at the age of 86. Don was born in Oklahoma City on August 17, 1936 to Jack and Pauline Birdwell. Growing up in a family with strong Oklahoma roots, his parents enjoyed square dancing along with other couples from their circle of friends. In fact, through these friends, he met who would become his future bride at the age of 6. Don and Constance (Connie) Roberson were purely family friends and their families continued paralleled lives and friendships throughout his youth. Don attended Classen High School where he was involved in wrestling and excelled in academics. He had a gift for mechanics and engineering which, as a child, translated into taking anything apart that had screws. Don fell in love with his childhood friend and they attended Oklahoma A&M College together. Don and Connie married and remained best friends for 67 years.

Don was very gifted in anything that required moving parts or electric connections. His career centered around mechanical and electrical engineering. He was the friend you called when something wasn’t working. His family would often refer to things that Don had fixed as being “Donnified”. With an incredible love for life, Don enjoyed his family, cars, boating, and music -but not necessarily always in that order. His family missed very few weekends camping and boating at Lake Texhoma. Don achieved the position of Commander in the US Power Squadron. He enjoyed organizing many trips for the Corvette Club that he and Connie loved. They could be found well into their 80’s making cross country trips in their red corvette named “Cherry Bomb”. He had an incredible love for a wide variety of music ranging from jazz to blues, rock, and country.

Don is survived by his ever-loving wife, Connie, son, David and wife, Amy (Okla City), daughter, Terri Coleman and husband, Jerry (Okla City). Grandchildren; Maury Birdwell (Boulder, CO), Adam Birdwell and wife, Maggie (Okla City), Benjamin Birdwell (Okla City), Michael Coleman and wife, Brandi (Tuttle, OK). Great Granddaughter, Brynlee Coleman.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 12, 2023 at 2:00 pm located at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral home in Oklahoma City. Following the service, a celebration, as Don would have wanted, will continue at Mama Rojas on the lake at 4:30 pm.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated to Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma and Hearts for Hearing Foundation. Giving to both organizations can be made at OCCF.org