Donald Wayne Schell

Donald Wayne Schell was born November 2, 1943 in Liberal, Kansas. His parents, John Isaac

and Leona (Swafford) Schell raised Don on the family farm outside of Plains Kansas where he

attended school and proudly drove the school bus his senior year. He completed his high

school education in 1961.

Upon graduation, Don went to work for the Plains township grading roads. When the time came

for a better opportunity, he went to work for Colorado Interstate Gas Company where he spent

15 years. HIs last big career move was for 22 years at Hardberger & Smylie. After Don’s

parents passed away, he came full circle to once again begin farming and ranch life where he

first began as a young boy on the farm where he grew up. Over time, he bought additional

property to add to the farm and ranch. He loved working with his cattle and especially calving

season and the growing calves. He lovingly reared and bottle fed a special calf he called Fred.

The two had a special connection and competed in races around the farm. One of Don’s favorite

things to do was showing kids, friends, and relatives little Fred’s racing skills. He also waited

yearly for the blue herons to discover his pond on their yearly northward migration. In 2010, he

made the difficult decision to sell his life’s work when he was unable to endure the hardship a

farm’s life required of him.

Don’s passions in life were his family, music, dancing, traveling, woodworking, trap shooting, and

pranking and scaring folks when they least expected it. He had a naughty boy quality to him

that was endearing to everyone. He was especially competitive with his trap shooting friends

and he won many outstanding championships in multiple states. He worked and played both

equally hard. His huge kind heart was always willing to help someone in need. His fondness

for Lucy, his mother-in-law, was especially visible to those who knew him well. He was a

beloved addition to Karen’s family. Reunions and family gatherings were vital to him, but his

truest, most sincere love other than his kids and wife Karen was watching his grandchildren’s

life in their schooling, their sports, and any activity where they chose to participate. They were

the light in his eyes.

Don was preceded in death by his parents John and Leona Schell, sister Joann Schell and

daughter LaDonna Clark.

Don passed on May 30, 2024 in the Lone Tree Retirement Center in Meade, Kansas.

He is survived by his wife Karen, son Travis Clark and wife Susan of Guymon, step-daughter

Stacey Russell and husband Brock, step-daughter Amy Barnett and husband Randy of

Weatherford, Ok., brother Richard and wife Paulette of Elberta, Alabama and brother Dale and

wife Lorraine of Plains, Kansas; 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and a farm full of

other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to STEP UP Transitional Living Program

for homeless youth in Weatherford, OK. Donations can be made online at

www.stepuptransition.org or mailed to P.O. Box 1016, Weatherford, OK 73096.