Donna Joyce Thomason
Obituary
Donna Joyce (Johnston) Thomason was born July 4, 1951 in Tulsa, OK to Joseph Burton Johnston, Jr. and Joyce Violet (Watts) Johnston and passed from this life, surrounded by family, on November 4, 2022 at the age of 71.
Donna attended Owasso Public Schools from first grade until she graduated in 1969 at which she launched her career in technology. She retired after 45 years with various IT departments, the last one being ONEOK as an IT Director. She loved traveling with her husband Frank to their favorite spots in Texas and Louisiana. She was so loving, caring, giving, compassionate, kind-hearted, and loved helping others. She loved dining out with friends and co-workers, even staying in touch after she retired. She liked long walks in the neighborhood visiting with those nearby. She was such a joy to be around.
Donna was the glue that held her family together after the death of their mother in 1994. She assumed the mantle of matriarch and gathered her siblings around her on a regular basis with weekly phone conversations and regular sibling lunches and dinners. She was the best big sister a person could wish for and wore her heart on her sleeve. She also strived to keep the “Age 55 and Over” group of the Johnston clan close to her by organizing quarterly gatherings for food and fellowship to which we all looked forward to.
Spring was a flurry of activity at Thomason house. The hummingbirds arrived. So from May until October the hummers became the first priority; to make sure they had fresh sweet sugar water to keep them happy. Some days there would be more than a dozen at the feeding station. The native birds that visited the feeders year round knew they were loved. They knew where to go to get their belly full. They never lacked for something to eat. A momma wren for the past few years built her nest in a hanging pot with artificial ivy. But last summer she built her nest in an empty can sitting on a garden workbench. Donna had a beautiful butterfly garden full of purple phlox in the summers. The butterflies would hang around all summer and at some point she would spot 25 to 50 at the same time.
One of Donna's Christmas traditions was baking a pecan pie for all the men (her brother and brother-in-laws). The first year, the guys noticed a slice was gone from each pie. Well, she said that was her husband, Frank's doing. By the time she took a slice from each pie, Frank ended up with a whole pecan pie. Frank rarely attended sibling luncheons but Donna would think of him and take him something special. Key lime pie was his favorite.
Donna will be missed by all who knew her. May we all cherish the memories we have of her. Rest in peace, Donna. You are gone but will not be forgotten.
Her funeral will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 10, at Ninde Brookside Chapel and she will be laid to rest at the Morris Cemetery, Morris, OK. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Donna’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at www.alzfdn.org
Events
Tributes & Memories
Donna was a mentor to me at The Williams Companies. She was a natural born leader always seeing the forest and not just the trees. She was excellent role model for a young IT programmer. Two of my memories of Donna – - a group of women at Williams enjoyed our lunches at Orbach’s relishing their Monday special of baked fudge. - we also had our ‘color’s done – are you a winter, spring, summer or fall? Donna was deemed a ‘spring’. One of her colors was Teal blue. She found a teal suit for work. Needless to say, she was a knock-out in that suit. Rest well, Donna. You will be missed.
Ellen Ayers
Donna was one of the first Williams IT team leaders I met when I moved to Tulsa and she became a coach and mentor to me for several years. She was so patient and always willing to explain the goal/objectives in detail to ensure the team was focused on deliverables. She always had a smile that would light up a room and sense of humor that could tame the best and worst of situations. Donna was always willing to help and lend a hand when needed. She was such a wonderful person and someone I admired during my tenor at Williams. She will be remembered for her kindness and friendship. RIP dear friend!
Cheryl Mount
Donna was responsible for my return to the Williams Companies in 1985 when Williams bought Northwest Central Gas Pipeline. She knew Williams was a better fit for me than American Airlines was. I will always be grateful to her for that. Donna was a natural born leader. She always saw the "Big Picture" and was able to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. When a meeting had gotten off track, she was able to bring the appropriate subject matter back into focus with just a few words. She was able to diffuse tense situations with her heartwarming smile and wry sense of humor. Donna mentored many people throughout her career, giving them opportunities they may not have otherwise received. She was a selfless leader who wanted others to succeed and she did everything she could to see they did. On top of everything else, she was so much fun to work beside! I hadn't seen Donna in 25 years or so but I never forgot her contribution to my career, her wonderful smile, or her unique sense of humor. She will be missed but not forgotten.
Charlotte Burton
I worked for Donna for about six years. She was one of the best bosses I ever worked for. Donna understood that IT was about people, not machines. Donna was also one of the very few people I ever worked for in my forty-one years of working in corporate America that put people, her clients, customers, and people who worked for her ahead of herself. I already miss you Donna.
Ray First
Our annual exchange of Christmas cards with Donna and Frank always mentioned that “we” (Donna and Patty) needed to meet for lunch. We managed to do just that for several years, along with another colleague, but then the pandemic was a very undesirable interruption. Donna was an unbelievably special person to work with and for .. so patient, even-tempered, and a fantastic role model. As noted in her obituary, she “will not be forgotten”. Our sympathy is extended to her family and friends.
Patty & Craig Jones
My sweet cousin, Donna loved getting family together ever year for a Christmas Dinner, it was a over 50 Dinner, some of the cousins would come we would laugh catch up with each other, we always tried to have a reunion and everyone would come we had so much fun. Just being with each other...She loved her family....she will be Missed Love you Terry, Deb
Debra GIST
Donna was a wonderful friend that I met 22 years ago. She genuinely cared about people and was interested in how they were doing. She remembered details about their lives and followed up for current updates. Donna was very smart and a natural leader. She was never shy or afraid to speak up for herself or others. I enjoyed breakfast and lunches with her and our friends. I will miss her greatly but I am so thankful for the opportunity to know her and learn from her. As Donna would always close…Hugs, Cindy Parker
Cindy Parker
Donna was six years older than me. The few times I was around, I admired her quieter nature and exquisite smile. Dad was impressed with her success in the early stages of computer technology and her climb up that ladder demonstrated the responsible nature, character, and efficiency of goals and hard work, that brought her success in that arena. Meeting up with her at our reunion a few years back, I could see the loving, caring woman she was, with the quiet spirit God loves. The exquisite smile still there. I know you will miss her so much. May she rest in peace now. The Lord bless, keep, and comfort you
Elizabeth Coker
Donna was such a special friend, so loving and caring. She always sent beautiful cards to celebrate special occasions. I have some of her gifts I see every day and think of her. She was always there for us during trying times at Williams with great support. I was lucky to work with her again as a consultant at ONEOK. The minute you walk through a door you always see her smiling face and receive the most wonderful hug. I will miss the breakfasts and the birthday lunches we enjoyed with her. They will not be the same without her. I was so lucky to have her as a friend. Diann Carnahan
Diann Carnahan
Having never met Donna, but talked to her many times I felt like I always had been a friend of hers thru her Mother-in-law Betty Thomason. She was the daughter Betty never had, and Betty loved her. Always had such great things to say about Donna and all the nice things Donna did for her. She always kept me in touch on what was going on in Betty's life in her last years. I appreciated that as I moved away from Tulsa and Betty had been a friend and client of mine for 30+ years. She always made Donna her favorite pie or cake for her birthday on the 4th of July. Rest In Peace Donna, know you are happy to be with your mother and with Betty again. All Is Well with My Soul.
Linda French