Obituary of Donald Roat

Donald Claude Roat was born January 22, 1933 in Bixby, OK to Virgil & Ruby (Rivett) Roat and passed from this life on July 6, 2011 in Broken Arrow, OK at the age of 78. After High School Don served in the United States Army, spending much of his tour in the German Occupation Army. Upon his honorable discharge Don received two years of training in HVAC trade spending time in Houston, TX. In 1979 he joined the Pipefitters Union and made his home in twelve different states. Don married Joan Ashbridge in 1979 in Tulsa. She joined him in 1988 in Connecticut as he continued traveling as a pipefitter. Don retired in 1996 and operated his own HVAC company. Don travelled to Australia, Alaska, Europe, Israel and Kiev Ukraine. Don and Joan went on several mission trips to the Ukraine, Germany, China and the Philippines. Preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Leonard Roat. Donald is survived by his wife, Joan (Holcombe) Roat; his son Don Roat II, daughter and son-in-law , Donna & Jorge Nerio and daughter Susan Ashbridge; his sons and daughter-in-laws, Brian & Christie Ashbridge and Stephen & Rebecca Ashbridge; his sister, Betty (Roat) Gossett; his grandchildren, Justin Nerio, Sean Nerio, Laura Ashbridge, Catherine Ashbridge, Daniel Ashbridge and his wife, Jennifer, Faith Ashbridge, Justin Barkley and his wife Michelle, Crystal Levine and Sarah Levine; and his great grandchildren, Sierra Levine, Jase Levine, Noah Barkley, Alyssa Barkley and Juliette Barkley. Donald will lie in state 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday and his funeral will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, both at the Ninde Brookside Chapel with family receiving friends from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. He will be laid to rest at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, Broken Arrow, OK. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Love A Child, Inc, P.O. Box 30744, Tampa, Florida 33630.