Donald Topping

Donald Avery Topping, of Cleveland, Oklahoma, went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 70.
Don was born December 10, 1937, the son of John Wesley and Grace Meleta (Eastman) Topping. As a young man Don grew up in the Olgesby and Ramona, Oklahoma area where he attended school and later graduated from Ramona High School with the Class of 1956. During high school Don was active in basketball, baseball and Future Farmers of America. As an FFA member Don was the former president of the chapter. After the completion of high school Don worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone for a short time before enrolling at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College at Miami. Don completed two years of higher education before transferring to Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, Oklahoma. At the completion of his schooling Don began working for Cities Services in the Seismograph Department in West Texas. During his employment with Cities Services Don worked in West Texas, Eastern New Mexico as well as Southern Oklahoma. On January 31, 1964, in Seminole, Texas Don was united in marriage to Barbara Ann (Winks). After their marriage the couple traveled to Lovington, New Mexico; before being transferred to Wolf Point, Montana. In 1965, the couple was transferred to Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Then in July of 1971, Don was transferred to Tulsa, Oklahoma. During that time they built and purchased their current home on Lake Keystone where they have continued to reside. In 1991, Don retired from Cities Services which was previously purchased by Occidental Petroleum and was the Vice President of Exploration and Production at his retirement. Don then returned to Seminole, Texas for a short time before accepting the position as General Manager in 1993, for the Pawnee County Rural Water District #1 where he is currently employed.
Mr. Topping has been an active part of the Cleveland Community since his time moving to Cleveland. He was currently the President of the Cleveland School Board since January of 1980. Don was an active supporter of the Event Center and making sure those children in the Cleveland Community received the best education available. He was also a member of the Keystone Golf Club and board member for many years and currently serving in the capacity as the president. In 2008, Don was nominated to the All State School Board for the Oklahoma State School Board Association. Mr. Topping is also an active part of the Westport Baptist Church since 1971; serving in many capacities during his time as the youth director, treasure and Falls Creek sponsor on numerous occasions. Don was also on the Pawnee County Rural Water District Board for 17 years before accepting the position as the general manager. Don was a loyal and generous man that loved his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends very much. He also cherished the time spent with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his loving wife of over 44 years Barbara of the home, two sons Jimmy Topping and his wife Mona of Bixby, Oklahoma, Doug Westhoff and his wife Tracy of Columbia, Missouri; two daughters Donna Collins and her husband Jeff of Olathe, Kansas, Missy Topping-Reardon of Roanoke, Texas; four brothers Herb Topping of Oglesby, Oklahoma, John D. Topping of Nowata, Oklahoma, Howard Topping of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Clyde Topping of Shawnee, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren Raymie, Addy, Sydney, Nicole, Natalie, Dylan, Cody, Avery, one great granddaughter Samaira as well as a host of other relatives, friends and colleagues. In addition to his parents Don was preceded in death by three brothers Oliver, Walter "Fat" and Charles Topping, two sisters Thelma Jones and Evelyn Cookerly.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, September 13, 2008 at the Cleveland Event Center with Rev. Dale Gowdy officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. Friends may share a memory with the family online at www.chapman-black.com. Burial will be held in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home.