Obituary of Howard Donald Laidley

Howard Donald “Don” Laidley, resident of Broken Arrow, passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2010 at his home in Broken Arrow, OK at the age of 75 years, 9 months and 16 days. He was born in Tulsa, OK on February 18, 1935, the son of Clarence Del and Helen (Russell) Laidley. Don was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather to his family. In 1953, he graduated from high school in Oklahoma City, OK. Don spent 2 years in the United States Army and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 1959. He and Carolyn Hageman were married on June 30, 1962 in Tulsa, OK. Don worked as a steel salesman for Earle M. Jorgensen Steel Company for 33 years until he retired in 1995. He built Classic Mini Storage and had owned and operated it for the past 10 years. Don was active in the Tulsa Bible Church, serving as a deacon. He was also active in the Prison Ministries Program. Don was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed working at church, volunteering his time and he loved spending time with his family. Don is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carolyn of the home; two sons, Michael Laidley and his wife, Nancy, of Phoenix, AZ and Steven Laidley and his wife, Kimberly, of Broken Arrow, OK; one step daughter, Jackie Slankard and her husband, Mark, of Tulsa, OK; two step sons, Donald Skinner of Kenai, AK and Dennis Skinner of Lake Havasu, AZ; ten grandchildren; two great grandchildren; one brother, Charles Del Laidley of El Reno, OK; three brother-in-laws, Howard Hageman and his wife, Doris, of Rock Falls, IL, Herbert Hageman and his wife, Carol, of Decorah, IA and David Hageman and his wife, Nancy, of Calmar, IA; one sister-in-law, Bea Hageman of California; and other relatives. Don was preceded in death by his parents, one granddaughter, Brianna Laidley, mother and father-in-law, Andrew and Marie Hageman, brothers and sister-in-law, Miles and Low Hageman and Don Hageman. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2010 at Tulsa Bible Church, 5838 S. Sheridan Road, Tulsa, OK. Pastor Jim Johnson will officiate the service. Entombment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park Mausoleum in Tulsa, OK. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening, December 8 from 5 – 8 p.m. Family and friends may send condolences to Don’s family online @ www.wrightfh.net. The family of Howard “Don” Laidley entrusted his care & services to Wright Funeral Home, 210 S. Broadway, Coweta, OK, 74429, (918) 486-5515. Pallbearers are Carthal Cobb, Forrest Cowan, Carl Middaugh, John Gatewood, Roger Larkey and Bill Dickens. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mr. Laidley to the Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709-3498.