Donald Laverne "Bud" Eakins was born on December 6, 1927, in Nardin, Oklahoma, to Richard Charles and Dora Pearl (McKeehan) Eakins. He grew up on a farm near Nardin and attended Nardin Schools before attending Blackwell Public Schools graduating in 1946. While in school he was active in the wrestling program and F.F.A. In the summers he worked for the Ralph Lusk family. Following graduation he began operating a spray truck for the Department of Agriculture. He later began operating a dozer for A. and C. Construction in Blackwell. He married Wilma Lee Metz on January 1, 1952, in Blackwell and they settled on the family homestead northwest of Blackwell where he continued wheat farming and raising cattle until ill health forced his retirement. In 2006 they moved into Blackwell to make their home. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell and served for several years as a board member for the Rural Water Association. He enjoyed horses and his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Wilma Lee Eakins of Blackwell; two daughters, Donna L. Price of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Kelle S. Simmons and husband Bill of Yukon, Oklahoma; two sons, Richard L. Eakins and wife Sherri of Blackwell and Tom A. Eakins and wife Cheryl of Blackwell; a sister, Lucille Smith of Nardin, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren, Paul Kerr, Ryan Eakins and wife Jimae, Tera Sneath and husband Gavin, Greg Hilton, Kimberly Hilton, Randi Briggs and husband Cyle, Jerika Price, Ben Price, Callie Price and Carson Simmons; and four great grandchildren, Judson Eakins, Conner Sneath, Ali Sneath and Tripp Briggs. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Barbara Hilton; and a sister, Dorothy Miller.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 7, 2008, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Steven Stoll and grandson,Ryan Eakins officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin.

Honorary casketbearers will be Roger Clark, Harvey Paige, Myrl Craft, Morgan Bergman, Jerry Blue, Ray Glenny, Derry Lusk, Charles Storck, Laurence Crow and Cecil Sodowsky. Casketbearers will be John Smith, Scott Smith, Bill Simmons, Sally Riesenberg, Ben Price, Ryan Eakins and Greg Hilton.

Memorials have been established with the Trinity Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Central Oklahoma in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home.