Don VanHooser

Don VanHooser, age 83, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at his home. Don was born on November 19, 1935 to Ralph and Adah (Stockton) VanHooser in Golden, Colorado. He grew up and graduated from Broken Arrow High School. Don was an entrepreneur at heart and his career encompassed many endeavors, beginning at the age of 18 when he began building houses in Tulsa. While in Tulsa, he also opened an Auto Supply business and a photo finishing shop. In his late 20’s Don moved to Joplin, embarking in a real estate agency and most notably, developed Country Club Estates, which consisted of 350 lots and building 350 homes. He also opened a carpet store in Joplin. At the age of 39, Don decided to broaden his horizons and purchased and operated Morse Creek Coal Mining Co. in Hayward, KY. Returning to Joplin, Don developed North Park Estates, Twin Hill Estates and founded the Home Builders Association of Joplin. In addition, he invented an automated car wash system and built car wash facilities in Joplin, Grove & Vinita. Just to add more flair to his life, Don also raised ostriches, emus and hedgehogs. On April 3, 1984 Don married Jane (Thresher) Charboneau and the couple made their home in Tulsa, where they developed and built subdivisions and homes. In 2002, the couple moved to Grove and they continued building and developing homes around Grand Lake, including The Estates in Carey Bay, Patricia Island and Governor’s Retreat. Don is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Wayne and Gailon VanHooser, sister Vesta Stanart and wife, Jane VanHooser by just a few weeks. Left to cherish his memory: children, Danny Charboneau of Oklahoma City, OK, Rick Charboneau and wife, Amanda of Bartlesville, OK, Alice Coe and husband, Andy of Tulsa, OK and Debbie VanHooser-Smittle and husband, David of Joplin, MO; brothers, David VanHooser and wife, Dru and Clay VanHooser, and wife Arlene, both of Tulsa, OK, and sister, Helene Lake of Turley, OK, 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6-8pm Tuesday, June 4 at Nichols-Stephens Funeral & Cremation Services. Graveside services will be at 2pm Wednesday June5, 2019 at New Olympus Cemetery. The family requests that donations be made to Good Shepherd Hospice in Don’s memory and send a special thank you to Melissa and Spencer for the love and care they gave to Don, as well as Dane, Don’s grandson, and Iris whom provided care for Don in his home. Arrangements entrusted to Nichols-Stephens Funeral & Cremation Services.

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Don VanHooser

November 19, 1935 - May 30, 2019