Jackie Don Sadler

Funeral services for Jackie Don Sadler will be held 2:00PM, Friday, February 14, 2020 at the First Baptist Church of Davis with Pastors Johnny Tonihka, Lance Whaley and Craig Abla officiating.

Jackie Don was born February 11, 1954 in Sulphur to the late Edward Don and Corene (Buffington) Sadler. He died Sunday, Febuary 9, 2020, just two days short of his 66th birthday. Jackie Don and the former Ms. Debby Ann Monjay were married on July 31, 1980 in Gainesville, TX. From this marriage was born two children, Natalie and Lincoln.

Jackie Don grew up in Davis, graduating from Davis High School in 1972. Following high school, he attended East Central University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and later a double Master’s Degree, one in Education and the other in School Administration. His desire and devotion for education was greatly influenced by five men, whom he had great respect for: Dr Clyde Butler, Charles Butler, Pete Byrd, Richard McKee and Gary Dale Fullerton. Thoughout his 32 years in education, Jackie Don always credited these five men for being the inspiration for his educational career.

In 1976, he landed his first teaching job in Allen, OK, where he not only taught science, but also coached. After his first year, Jackie Don stepped away from education, and spent 11 years working in the oil field for Sohio Petroleum. Knowing that his true passion was in education, he returned to teaching in 1989, at Davis Public Schools, teaching science and chemistry in the middle school and high school. It was during his time at Davis that he also worked as the assistant store manager for Monjay’s IGA Grocery Store in Sulphur, which was owned by his in-laws.

In the fall of 1995, Jackie Don went to Dickson Public Schools, where he spent eight years in high school administration. In 2003, he left Dickson and went to Pauls Valley Public Schools, teaching science until 2005, when he went to Elmore City/Pernell Schools, where he served as the high school and junior high principal; as well as, the schools director of transportation. In 2014, Jackie Don returned to Pauls Valley, retiring in May of 2019.

Jackie Don was much more than an educator. He bonded with the students at each of the schools. He was a friend to each student and made sure they each knew that he cared for them and wanted to see them succeed in life. His love and devotion to education made a lifelong impact on his students. He will forever be remembered as a fair and passionate teacher, principal, friend and colleague.

Although education and caring for others was one of the top priorities in Jackie Don’s life, it was not the top priority. For him, God came first, then his family. His love and devotion to his wife, children and grandchildren was unwavering; to the point that everyone recognized it. His love for Debby was simply amazing. His love and devotion for her was astonishing to say the least. He was a very proud father, providing the very best for Natalie and Lincoln. They were his life; that is until his beloved grandchildren came along. He was very much the proudest Poppa ever. All you had to do was visit with him for a few minutes and you would quickly know that his two grandchildren, Kylie and Tyson made his life complete. He rearranged his busy schedule to be at every sporting event and function that the kids were involved in, not to mention every other aspect of their lives.

What many would consider a job, Jackie Don found to be his hobby. He absolutely loved mowing lawns. He had several yards, belonging to his mother’s dear friends, that he kept manicured at all time; in addition to his own yard and family member’s lawns.

Jackie Don and Debby had a passion for cruising. Since retiring only eight short months ago, he and Debby were blessed to take nine cruises, which allowed them to be Diamond Members of the Carnival Cruise Lines. Jackie was proud of being a Diamond Elite. Jackie was also a lifetime, faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Davis. He also served on the Board of Education for the Davis Public Schools and the Davis City Council.

Survivors include his loving wife, Debby; his daughter, Natalie Dawn Sadler Moss; his son, Lincoln Tyler Derek Sadler; granddaughter, Kylie Dawn Moss; grandson, Tyson Derek Moss, all of Davis; son-in-law, Shane Moss & wife Leah of Davis; two sisters, Dianne Gilliland of Davis and Dadriaon Donohew of Duncan; mother-in-law, Marty Monjay of Oklahoma City; brother-in-law, Eddie Monjay of Maryland; as well as one niece, several nephews and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jackie Don was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Joe E. Monjay; brother’s-in-law, Bill Donohew, David Gilliland and Dr. David Rex Monjay; one nephew, Jason Gilliland; and one great-niece Annabelle Gilliland.
Serving as honorary pallbears are Mike Harris, Donnie Darrow, Brad Jones, Mike Martin, Don Carter, Eddie Monjay, Robert LaPuck, Pete Byrd, David Bingman, Charles Butler and Steve Shoemaker

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5-7PM at the Funeral Home.