Don Padgett

Don Padgett, 62, passed away on Saturday, November 17, in Holdenville, Oklahoma. He was born on February 23, 1956, in Hale Center, Texas, to Charles Lee Padgett and Clarice (Bailey) Padgett Price.

F a m i l y visitation is scheduled from 4:00-6:00P.M. on Friday, November 23, at Whitt Funeral Home. A memorial service is scheduled on Saturday, November 24, at 1:30P.M. at Ray of Hope Church, with Denny Holzbauer with Martial Arts Ministries officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home.

Don graduated from Duncan High School in 1975 and then received a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Northeastern Oklahoma State University. He was a teacher/coach at many schools, including Holdenville, Comanche, Duncan, Velma-Alma, and Bray-Doyle. He was the Director of Special Education at Cleveland and served as the Athletic Director for the Holdenville Wolverines. He coached wrestling, football, and track for 34 years.

He was a martial arts instructor for 40 years and had obtained his Grand Master 10th degree. He was inducted into the 2018 U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He loved to fish and enjoyed playing guitar, singing, golf and bowling.

He married Corene Pack on March13, 1999, in Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Don is survived by his wife, Corene; children, Missy Taylor and spouse Robert, Jaybee Hawkins and spouse Russ, Chad Thomison, Josh Padgett

and spouse Jessica, Heather Padgett, Chase Thomison, Bailee Padgett, and Isaiah Blackshear; grandchildren, Allyson Mc-Cartney and spouse

Terry, Ray-lee Taylor, Brayden, Colyn, and Riley Treat, Alex Thomison, Sarah-Lynn Nicole Padgett, Xander and Keira Thomison; great-grandchildren, Kaiden Taylor, and Ava and Easton McCartney; brothers, Wes Padgett and spouse Lisa, and Tag Price; sisters, Roxie Higgins and spouse Stanley, Carla Price and spouse Teena, and Beverly Padgett; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Charles and Leta Faye Padgett; mother, Clarice Price; sister, Alana Jean Padgett; and late wife, Judy Ann Cephus Padgett.

Honorary pallbearers will be all of his Black Belt students.

Memorial contributions in Don’s memory can be made to The National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.

Online condolences to the family can be made at www.whittfh.com.