Donald Ray Liles

Donald Ray Liles passed away on January 25, 2023, at the age of 85. He was born on July 16, 1937, in Tonkawa, Oklahoma to Marshall Colwell Liles and Opal Betty Basham. Don graduated from Ponca City High School in 1957 and attended college at Oklahoma State University. He met his future wife, Cheryl Branum, while attending OSU. They married on September 2, 1960. They lived in Ponca City and Tonkawa, OK before moving back to Stillwater in 1962. There they had three children: Kelli, Todd and Christian. Don had a career in law enforcement. He was employed by the Stillwater, OK Police Department starting in 1962 and retiring in 1985. Prior to his retirement in 1985, Don received the department's Medal of Valor for aiding in the rescue of a downed officer that was critically wounded during an armed standoff with a fugitive. Following his retirement, Don started two small business ventures and enjoyed spending his time volunteering for various organizations. Don and Cheryl also enjoyed traveling. Their adventures took them to Peru, Belize, Guatemala, Russia, Alaska, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and Mexico not only for vacations but mission work as well. Don was a jack of all trades. If he didn't know how to repair or redo something, he taught himself. Don spent hours in his woodworking shop where he crafted many items still treasured by his family today. After Cheryl retired in 2002, they moved to the Table Rock Lake area in Missouri where they enjoyed boating, fly fishing, bike riding and volunteering. They made the decision to return to Oklahoma in 2016 to be closer to family. Of all of Don's interests, his favorite was that of father and Papa. Don was preceded in death by his son, Marshall Todd Liles, his parents Marshall Lies and Opal Liles Adair, brother W.J. Liles, sisters Beverly Dewey and Patricia Stephens. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Cheryl, daughter Kelli Lawrence and Randy, son Christian Liles and Wendi, grandchildren Zachary Bradshaw and Emily Anne, Lauren Cosby and Nathan, Reagan Liles and Matthew Liles. He is also survived by brothers Mike Adair (Suzy) and David Adair (Diana), sister Ina Irvine (Stan) as well as many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins.

Donald Ray Liles

July 16, 1937 - January 25, 2023