Donald Earl "Pops" Kuykendall, 84, of Arpelar, passed away Sunday, July 16, at McAlester Regional Health Center.

Don Kuykendall was born on Dec. 5, 1938 in Plainview, Okla. to Eldon E. and Mary Edna (Crawford) Kuykendall.  He grew up in the Arpelar/Haywood area and had lived in the area virtually all his life.  He graduated from Haywood High School.  He married Bobbye J. Simco on Sept. 23, 1960 in Arpelar.  Don had worked for Gorman Wholesale and Montgomery Ward before he went to work as a route salesman for Bemac Supply for many years until his retirement.

Don loved spending time with his family and friends.  He enjoyed playing music with his old-time buddies and had several music gatherings at his home.  He was a pretty good cook and loved making his famous "Don's Hard To Get" BBQ sauce.  He was "The Man" that could fix anything that was broken.  He was an expert whittler and made several walking sticks to give away to family and friends.  He was a member of the North Town Church of Christ.

Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bobbye Kuykendall of the home; children, Sherry (Kuykendall) McPhetridge and husband Rick of Arpelar, Jeffrey Don Kuykendall and wife Lisa of Damascus, Ar., and Galen Kuykendall and wife Tammy of Krebs; grandchildren, Sadena McPhetridge, Ryan McPhetridge, Drew Kuykendall, Kyle Kuykendall, and Cody Kuykendall; 6 great grandchildren; a brother, John Kuykendall and wife Jackie of McAlester; and a sister, Leola Luker of McAlester.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Eldon and Edna Kuykendall, and sisters, Jo McClendon and Mildred Hayes.

There will be no formal services at this time.  However, the family will host a BBQ dinner for family and friends to gather for a celebration of life on Saturday, July 22, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Arpelar Nazarene Church community building.