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January 17, 2013

Donald Hubert Kniss

The Express-Star

— Donald Hubert Kniss



Funeral service for Donald Hubert Kniss, age 76, will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, in the McRay Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Tommy Donaldson will officiate and Rev. Johnny Tims will assist.

Donald Hubert Kniss was born in Amber on Thanksgiving, day, Nov. 26, 1936 to Mary Johnson Kniss and H. H. "Curly" Kniss. He was called to be with his Lord on Jan. 13, 2013.

Don attended Amber Public Schools for twelve years and had perfect attendance. He was Valedictorian of his graduating class of 1955. Before entering college, he went to school in Arkansas and became an auctioneer in the summer of 1955. Don entered Oklahoma State University on a basketball and scholastic scholarship and graduated with a degree in Animal Husbandry in 1960. Don became a Real Estate agent and has had his brokers license since 1966.

Don and Charlie Brown started the first regular livestock sale in Chickasha,OK. Don has been buying and selling cattle at the Oklahoma City Stockyards for over 60 years. He first worked at Ralph O. Wright in 1953, during summers while he was still in high school. He bought A & E Commission Company in 1967 and changed the name to United Livestock Commission Company. Don had worked for Stockman Commission Company and Cassidy Commission Company before he bought Coit Commission Company and changed the name to United Livestock Commission Company. He was currently shipping to J & J Livestock Commission Company. Don was the happiest when he was at the yards sorting, buying, and selling cattle. He has bought and sold cattle in almost every state in the United States and Mexico.

Don had a genuine love for horses. He raised and showed paint horses for many years. He raced thoroughbred and quarter horses throughout Oklahoma to New Mexico. Even though he owned many horses, paint horses always had his heart.

Don was a member of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, the American Quarter Horse Association, and the American Paint Horse Association where he served as president. He was also a member of the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission. Don belonged to the OSU Alumni Association.

Don was a honorary member of the Future Farmers of America. He sponsored club calf shows and often was auctioneer to support the FFA. He continued his support of these organizations through his children and grandchildren.

Don was a simple man; simply because that is what he chose to be. He had a unique mind that worked overtime, and often ahead of it’s time. Don was a hard worker and never quit until it was done. It was not unusual for him to meet a trucker at 5am in the middle of a pasture 200 miles away, and end his day sorting cattle until the last light. He would give anyone a helping hand or cattle advice when asked and sometimes when not asked. He never met a stranger and was dedicated to his family and friends.

Don Married Nawasa Overby in May of 1955 and had two daughters; NaDonna and Rhonda. He later married Jennifer Burris in October of 1981 in South Fork, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and H.H. "Curly" Kniss and son-in-law, Joe A. Baker.

Survivors include his wife, Jennifer Kniss of Oklahoma City; daughter, NaDonna Kniss Baker of Chickasha; daughter, Rhonda Kniss Jackson and husband, David of Yukon; stepson, Jeffrey Jones of Arlington, Texas; sister, Betty Osborn of Del Norte, Colo.; four granddaughters, Nicki Baker DeWoody and husband Lynn of Lindsay, Jesse Baker Romine and husband Gregg of Montague, Texas, Morgan Jackson and Carly Jackson of Yukon; three great-granddaughters, Makayla Huff, Charlie DeWoody, and Lexi Romine; nieces, Teri Byrd of Del Norte, Colo. and Traci Gallegos of Coeur D Alene, ID; nephew, Darren McClure of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a very special god child, Shelby Kutji of Oklahoma City; a host of relatives and friends.

Interment will be in the Amber Cemetery. Service will be under the direction of the McRay Funeral Home, Chickasha.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

 

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