Don Fajen

Fajen, Donald Louis passed away February 24, 2023, in Oklahoma City at the age of 90. His family was at his side as he was welcomed into the loving hands of God. Don was born July 14, 1932, in Chickasha, Oklahoma to Alvin Louis and Frankie Viola (Warner) Fajen. After the family moved to Guymon in 1942, he attended Guymon Public Schools and graduated in 1950.  He went to the University of Oklahoma and graduated in 1954. He was active in the Air Force ROTC and a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Don graduated with an accounting degree.

During his senior year at OU, he went on a blind date with Anne Louise Duca in March, they were pinned in April, and engaged in May. One could say Don worked fast. They were married August 20, 1954, in Anne’s hometown, Muskogee, OK.  Immediately after the wedding Don and Anne had to leave for Bartow AFB in Florida for his first Air Force assignment.

Don proudly served in the US Air Force for three years obtaining the rank of First Lieutenant and earning pilot wings. After leaving the Air Force he returned to Guymon and started working for his father, Alvin Fajen, at the newly opened “The Kitchen Mart.” He continued working and learning the appliance business where he soon became a partner.  During this time the two men obtained the “ Mr.Frigidaire Award ” for excellence in sales and service.  After his father retired in 1972 Don bought out the other half of the business and operated it until his retirement in 1998.

Don and Anne raised their family in Guymon, children Nancy Louise, Elizabeth Anne, Janet Sue, and Robert (Bob) Louis.  While the children were in school, he rarely missed any of their ball games and frequently drove other kids to out of town games of the Guymon Tigers.  Unfortunately, after 35 years of a happy marriage Anne passed away.

Don was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Guymon where he has served as a Ruling Elder and on the Commission of Ministry of Preparation for the Cimarron Presbytery. He was also busy with choir and Sunday School classes. 

During his retirement years he married Mary Lou Gordon and they traveled across several states in a fifth wheel camper.  A good bridge game was always nearby.  Mary Lou passed away on November 9, 2009.

Don was active in numerous civic organizations, Rotary, Elks Lodge, the Guymon Chamber of Commerce, and the Hospital Board for Texas County Memorial Hospital. One of his proud achievements was working closely with the Texas County Commissionerswhere together they were instrumental in funding and building a new county jail.

Hobbies included RC airplanes with the Guymon Flying Tigers Club, golf, fishing in Colorado, and coaching and officiating several kids’ sports. He loved all OU sports with his favorites being football and women’s softball.  He played bridge twice a week and hit a “Grand Slam” numerous times. He especially enjoyed bridge and lunches with his good friend Sharon Lear.

He is survived by his children Nancy and husband Doug Dale of Oklahoma City, Elizabeth and husband Stanley Van Nort of Oklahoma City, and Bob Fajen and wife Kim of Guymon.  He is also survived by grandchildren: Jennifer Ely (Darrell), David Dale (Amy), Danielle Collins, Kaela Collins, Tony Collins(Mercedez), Morgan Butler (Clifton) and Jordan Fajen, additionally 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Anne, daughter Janet, his parents, sister Dorothy Lou Fajen and brother Frederick Earl Fajen.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the First Presbyterian Church of Guymon, OK. 

If there's a bridge game in Heaven, Don will be looking for another Grand Slam while playing Boomer Sooner.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 till 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 27, 2023 at Henson-Novak Funeral Home of Guymon.

Graveside Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at Elmhurst Cemetery in Guymon.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Guymon with Todd Singleterry and Rev. Minwoo Kim officiating.

Friends and family may sign the guest book or leave an online condolence.

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