Donald C. O'Bannon

Donald C. O'Bannon Donald C. O'Bannon - Dad passed away October 24, 2010 after a brief courageous battle with esophageal cancer. He was born on December 3, 1930 in Strawn, Texas to parents Claude and Opal O'Bannon. After the death of his father at 4 months of age his Mother relocated to Mineral Wells, Texas where Dad grew up. He graduated from Mineral Wells High School in 1948 and while attending summer school he met what was to become his wife, soul mate and very best friend Joyce Langdon. Dad and Mom were married on July 29, 1950 and began a love story that we all dream of and just recently celebrated 60 years of a love together. Dad joined the Texas National Guard and was called into active service by the U. S. Army in June 1953. Dad served 19 months in Korea and was up for promotion to Master Sergeant when the Army placed a freeze on all promotions towards the end of the Korean conflict. Even though the Army wanted Dad to reenlist and offered him a promotion he elected to return to Palo Pinto County and was honorably discharged from the Army in June 1955 at the rank of Sergeant First Class. Dad and Mom were living in Dallas when they relocated to Midland, Texas in 1959. Dad worked for West Texas Office supply when he and Mom purchased A-1 Business Service in 1965 and operated the business together until they sold A-1 in 1971. It was at that time Dad opened O'Bannon Printing and he, Mom and Joe Hembree operated the business for 34 years through the ups and downs of the West Texas economy. Dad sold O'Bannon Printing in 2005 and retired to the golf course. He said many times that he was blessed and very appreciative for all the relationships he enjoyed in his business over the years. And, it is on behalf of Dad I want to thank all of his customers over the years for their business, their loyalty and of course their friendship. After he sold the business, Dad had a yearning to move back home to the hills of Palo Pinto so he and Mom relocated to Mineral Wells in September 2009. Dad and Mom had just recently moved into their new home on the golf course when Dad became ill. Dad and Mom had not found a church home in Mineral Wells but still maintained their church membership with the First Baptist Church of Midland, Texas at the time of Dad's passing. Dad and Mom were long standing members of Ranchland Hills Country Club where they enjoyed many years of fun times with their golfing buddies. Dad was a Master Mason Lodge 623 for over 40 yeas and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite, Suez Shrine Temple, San Angelo, Texas. Dad was really moved by the amazing things the Scottish Rite Hospital did for children. It's because of his heartfelt emotion that the family requests if you would like to honor Dad, please make a donation to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children; 2222 Wellborn St.; Dallas, TX 75219. Dad is survived by his wife of 60 years Joyce O'Bannon, one son Rick and his wife Lisa of Kingwood, Texas, granddaughter Kristin O'Bannon and grandson Justin O'Bannon both of Houston, Texas, his sister Marguerite Liles of Ft. Worth, Texas and many loving friends and family.