Donald Nile Foss

Donald Nile Foss passed away peacefully September 18, 2022, at home in Oklahoma City surrounded by his family. He was born August 5, 1935, in St. Francisville, IL, the son of Nile Bernet Foss and Bernice Grace Saums Foss.Donnie, as he was known in his younger years, graduated from Bridgeport, IL, Township High School in 1953 and entered the US Army on March 24, 1954, serving honorably until January 18, 1957. During his military service, he served as an electronic repairman for the Nike anti-aircraft, guided missile systems in White Sands, NM, and in Ft. Sheridan, IL. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. After being discharged, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana until moving closer to family in Pensacola, FL, in 1960, where he continued his education at Pensacola Junior College through the Spring of 1963.On January 20, 1962, Don attended a Mardi Gras Ball where he met his future wife, Miss Clara Burch, the Queen of the Ball. Don and Clara were married just five months later, on June 16, 1962, in Warrington, FL.Don continued his education at Auburn University in Alabama where he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering. He graduated in the top three in his field of study and was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Dean's Honor Role. While attending school, Don and Clara celebrated the birth of their first child, Kay Foss.In 1965, the family moved to Oklahoma City, where he began a career with General Electric as a manufacturing engineer. Shortly after moving to Oklahoma City, they celebrated the birth of their second child, and first son, David, and five years later, their second son, Alan. Don continued to work in Oklahoma City as his division changed hands, including Honeywell Information Systems, Control Data Systems, Magnetic Peripherals, and finally retiring from Banctec in 1997.Don was a charter member of Westlake Presbyterian Church in Bethany, OK, founded in 1968, where he faithfully served his church family in many capacities, including as a Sunday school teacher and Elder for over 50 years. He also was a Boy Scout Leader, avid gardener, and passionate wood worker. Don was the consummate perfectionist, always planning and organizing. He was best known to all as a very kind, patient, and humble man, in addition to having a great sense of humor, even in his final days.He was preceded in death by his parents, Nile and Bernice Foss, and brother, Roger Foss.A loving husband and proud father, he is survived by his wife of 60 years, Clara; daughter, Susan Kay Foss of Edmond; two sons, David Foss and wife Tammy, of Oklahoma City and Alan Foss and wife Nicole, of Edmond; five grandchildren, Jordyn Prince and husband Matt, of Edmond, Abigail Foss of Edmond, Preston Foss and wife Arianna of Midwest City, Simon Foss of Tulsa, and Lucy Foss of Edmond; two great granddaughters, Ellie Prince and Ava Prince; and two brothers, Steven Foss and wife Joanne, of Gulf Breeze, FL, and Michael Foss and wife Anna, of Clearwater, FL.Memorial service will be held Saturday, October 29, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Westlake Presbyterian Church in Bethany, OK. Inurnment will be in the Spring of 2023, at Bayview Memorial Park in Pensacola, FL.Condolences online at www.smithandkernke.com.