Donald Wayne McNatt

ODESSA – Donald W. “Gumpy” McNatt was born on October 27, 1939, in Lexington, Missouri to Bill and Mildred McNatt. He was called home to heaven on Friday, December 29, 2023.

He grew up in Freeman and Odessa, Missouri, and eventually moved to Morrill, Kansas where he graduated Morrill High School in 1957. He was very active, excelling in academics and athletics, especially basketball and track. Growing up, Don was a boy scout and learned to play the piano and organ beautifully. He worked many jobs in a small farming community, working on local farms and mowing the local cemetery on the weekends. After graduating high school, Don attended Highland Community College where he received his Associate’s Degree in Pre-Engineering. After graduating from Highland Community College, he then entered the army where he was stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama as a Hawk Missile Mechanic. He was then assigned to Cameron Station in Alexandria, Virginia where he was part of a US Army exhibit that traveled all across the United States to different State and World Fairs with his team. Eventually, his exhibit ended up at the Texas State Fair in 1960 where he met his HDLC, love of his life, Rosemary Hill and then married on December 27, 1960. He was from Odessa, Missouri and she was from Odessa, Texas and the rest was history. Don worked as a plant engineer at Southwestern Portland Cement for 37 years, after that he worked at TxDOT as a plan reviewer for 18 years where he finally retired at the age of 77 in August of 2016. While raising his family, he enjoyed teaching and coaching his children and grandchildren the value of education, sports, work ethic, staying busy, and staying active. Gumpy felt that these were key values to be instilled in all young people’s lives to stay healthy, stay out of trouble, and learn to work with others. Gumpy enjoyed playing tennis, racquetball, handball, golf, cards, and dominoes with family and friends on the weekends. Gumpy was an avid MOJO fan and had his original season tickets for Permian High School since Ratliff opened in 1983. Gumpy loved working outside on many things, especially growing his 10-foot tomato plants, his sunflowers, and working on his first car which was a 1948 Ford Mercury. Gumpy also achieved one of his favorite things on his bucket list which was obtaining his Steinway Piano. Gumpy’s love and devotion to his family was shown by never missing a game, concert, or family gathering and he even video-taped many of those precious moments. Gumpy was a very hardworking, loyal man, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be missed by all.

Gumpy is preceded in death by his parents Bill and Mildred McNatt and beloved wife of 54 years, Rosemary McNatt.

He is survived by his daughter, Lisa McNatt Rowan, son, Donnie McNatt and wife Heather, grandchildren: Amanda Bizzell and husband Clint, Michael McNatt, Regan Chance and husband Spencer, great-granddaughters Bentleigh and Graycie Chance, and his brother William McNatt and wife Jean. Also, many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, dear friends, and neighbors that he loved so much. Pallbearers will be Michael McNatt, Spencer Chance, Clint Bizzell, Don Frady, Darren Clark, Jimbo Hill. Honorary pallbearers will be Jennifer McNatt, Justin Clark, Brady Clark, and Derek Clark. Also, a special thanks to the Medical Center Hospital nursing staff and doctors that took care of him at the hospital.

Visitation will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens on Friday, January 5, 2024, from 6-8 PM. Funeral Services will be on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 10 AM at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home with Reverend Dr. Jimmy Braswell officiating; Burial will follow after at Sunset Memorial Gardens.