Donald "Don" Martin O'Kane

Donald "Don" Martin O’Kane passed away peacefully on Monday, October 17, 2022, in Athens, Georgia.

He was born on July 31, 1943, the son of Martin Harry and Cleta Eileen (Dunn) O’Kane in Pueblo, Colorado. Don left high school just before graduation and joined the Marines. He completed high school by getting his GED while in the military. He served six years in the Marines from 1961 to 1967 during which he served two tours of duty during the Vietnam war.  After returning home, Don worked at several odd jobs, and in the fall of 1970, he enrolled at Seward County Community College (SCCC) to complete his plans of higher education. This is where he met his future wife, Gayle, who was working as Assistant Registrar at the college. Don and Gayle were united in marriage on November 26, 1970.  Don received an Associate Degree from SCCC in 1971, and then completed his bachelor’s degree in business in 1973, at Oklahoma Panhandle State College in Goodwell, Oklahoma.

Don worked for Liberal Mobile Homes, Liberal Gas Company, 7-Bell Real Estate, and Wes-Kan Oil during the years he lived in Liberal.  He retired in 2006 from Wes-Kan Oil. After Gayle retired from SCCC in 2007, they moved to Lees Summit, Missouri, to be near their two oldest grandchildren, Macayla and Jakob.  After the grandkids graduated from high school, Don and Gayle moved to Athens, Georgia, to be near their younger grandchildren, Willem and Eilee. Don was dearly loved by many in the community and will be greatly missed.

Don is survived by his wife, Gayle, of the home; son, Patrick M. O’Kane and his wife, Kristi of Topeka, Kansas; daughter, Stephanie O’Kane-Swindler, of Athens, Georgia; 4 grandchildren, Macayla M. Pittman and husband Kirk, and Jakob M. O’Kane of Topeka, Kansas, and Willem A. Swindler  and Eilee M. Swindler of Athens, Georgia; 2 great grandchildren, Artemis E. E. Pittman and Elijah M. M. Pittman of Topeka, Kansas; and brother, Michael O’Kane and wife Helen of Liberal, Kansas. 

Don was preceded in death by his sister, Patricia Seyler and her husband Bill of Winfield, Kansas, and his parents, C. Eileen O’Kane and M. Harry O’Kane of Liberal, Kansas.

Visitation will be 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Monday, October 24, 2022, at the Hornung Family Funeral Home. The family will be present from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM to receive friends.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM, Monday, October 24, 2022, at the Hornung Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Larry Moore presiding.

Graveside service to follow at Liberal Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hornungfuneralhome.com Hornung Family Funeral Home, 1212 W. 2^nd Street, Liberal, Kansas