Donald Albert Wahl, 88, passed away May 30, 2019. He was born February 25, 1931 in his grandmother’s farmhouse between Isabella and Okeene, Oklahoma, to Albert Byrd Wahl and Ruby Marie Laubach Wahl. Donald and Patsy Harston were married September 1, 1957 at Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Don accepted Christ as his Savior on March 26, 1952 while serving in the Air Force at Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Virginia. He was very active in Youth for Christ while stationed at Langley, and continued to be faithful to the Lord his entire life.
Donald attended elementary schools at Country schools Arapaho and Deep Creek, and graduated from Okeene High School in 1949. After serving four years in the United States Air Force from January 6, 1951 – January 5, 1955, Donald earned an Associate of Science Degree in Engineering Drafting and Design from Oklahoma State University, a Bachelors in Industrial Arts Education, and a Masters in Mathematics from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and a Doctorate in Educational Administration, with a specialty in School Plant Planning and Management, from The University of Arkansas. After university, he was employed at McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, US Gypsum Inc., three Oklahoma Public Schools, the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and two architectural firms.
He was internationally known for his expertise in planning schools, including Edmond Santa Fe High School as well as one in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.. He co-authored two textbooks on School Plant Planning and Maintenance that were used as textbooks by several major universities. The Minister of Education of Saudi Arabia adopted one textbook as that Nation’s official school plant planning guide. Don was a regular guest lecturer at five universities, and an adjunct professor at one. He was the keynote speaker at many state, regional, national and international conventions. He served on the Board of Directors of the Council of Educational Facilities Planners, International, and as president of the Regional Chapter.
Don retired in 1993 and thereafter spent time with his grandson, Levi Don of whom he was always so very proud. He volunteered 15+ years in the Putnam City School district where he spent part of almost every day doing his first love - working with and around children. He repaired torn, and processed new library books, where the students referred to him as their ‘Book Doctor’. In 2006, Don was awarded the Golden Apple Award for his volunteer service to Putnam City Public Schools, and later in 2010 was honored by his alma-mater with the Okeene High School Distinguished Alumni Award.
He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Byrd Wahl; mother, Ruby Laubach (Wahl, Laubach); step father, Herbert E. Laubach; one sister, Norma Laubach Hill; one brother, Eugene Laubach; and one sister, Neoma Laubach Vanzant.
He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Patsy Harston Wahl; his only daughter, Marsha Wahl Dobrinski Cruz and husband, Sergio Cruz; grandson, Levi Dobrinski and his wife, Kisten; great-granddaughter, Sadie Dobrinski; two brothers, Virgil and Harold Laubach; two sisters, Norita Curtin and Nadine Benham as well as, numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will occur at Tulakes Baptist Church in Bethany, OK on Thursday, June 6th at 10am with burial and a brief ceremony following lunch at Roselawn Cemetery in Okeene, OK at 3 pm. Visitation will be held at Chapel Hill Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 5th from 9am-8pm with family present from 6-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Silver Strings Orchestra of Putnam City (P.O Box 721346 Oklahoma City, OK 73172 or Contact 405.613.5191).
