Donald Phillip McDaniels, of Oklahoma City, peacefully passed away on June 24, 2021 at the age of 76. He was born in Ada, Oklahoma to Andrew Mac McDaniels and Mary Sue Underwood McDaniels. The family moved to Chickasha in 1948 and then to Muskogee in 1957, where Don graduated from high school in 1962. He went to college and graduated from Central State College with a degree in History Education. Don devoted his entire career to education and made an impact on many young lives. He taught high school for 4 years in Rose Hill, Kansas, where he also coached basketball. He then moved back to Oklahoma City to get his masters in Education. He began teaching at Classen High School, then moved to Northwest Classen High School, where he taught many subjects, ranging from geography to history to Social Studies. He retired from teaching in May of 2005. Don was an accomplished musician who played the cornet and trumpet in high school. He taught himself to play guitar and spent many of his younger days playing guitar and singing at a local coffee shop, The Sword and Stone. Don enjoyed traveling, cooking, OU football, watching Boston Celtics basketball, and spending time with his family. To Don, family was everything. He had two daughters, Darcey and Christy, who he raised alone from the age of 5 and 4, respectively. He could always be counted on when they needed him, whether that meant loaning them money, providing a shoulder to cry on, or to just deliver a really awful dad joke. Don also loved being a Papa to his three grandsons - Jack, Zane and Luke. He enjoyed going to their football, soccer & basketball games, and wouldnt miss a band, choir or orchestra concert. They adored their Papa, as well. He shared a love of the NFL and NBA with his oldest grandson Jack; he was so proud of his middle grandson Zane for all his academic achievements, but was mostly impressed with how quickly Zane could fix Papas iPhone; he also shared a love of cooking and recipes with his youngest grandson Luke, and couldnt wait to share one of those terrible dad jokes with him to make him laugh. In 1987, Dons life would be forever altered when he met Patricia White, a fellow teacher. They began dating and he soon realized that Pat was the love of his life. They spent 34 years together, and she was by his side the day he left this world. They loved to travel, go to the symphony, and play with Pats beloved Cairn terriers. Don also loved Pats daughter, Beth and her granddaughter Sarah. He was like a grandfather to Sarah and was so proud of her. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Mac McDaniels and Mary Sue Underwood McDaniels. He is survived by his brother Darrell and wife Joyce; daughters, Darcey Gillespie and husband Erin, Christy Kinder and husband Jon, both of Bethany; and his grandsons, Jack Deason and Zane and Luke Gillespie. He also leaves behind a host of family and friends. He was a wonderful man who lived life well and will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donalds name to The Stephenson Cancer Center or Integris Hospice House. . Memorial Service Mercer-Adams Chapel Wednesday, June 30, 2021 10:00 AM 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008