Mustang man named county’s ‘Outstanding Citizen’

Mustang’s Don Anderson was named the county’s Outstanding Citizen.

During the Canadian County Fair Family Night festivities Donald Anderson of Mustang, Oklahoma was awarded the 2016 Outstanding Canadian County Citizen Award.  Don was presented with a certificate and the winning cookie jar fair entry.  This year’s winning cookie jar was made by Underwood Oklahoma Home and Community Education (OHCE) group.

Mr. Anderson was nominated by JoAnn Hickman and below is what she wrote:

In 1959 a young couple, Don and Charlene Anderson, arrived in Mustang.  They had come to stay!  He became a teacher and coach, and within a couple of years, the Principal of Mustang High School.  From the beginning, he was dedicated to his family, the school, the town, and the community.  In 1969 Don started his RV-Camper business, but before long he was back in the education business.  During that time, Don also began selling real estate part time.  After 27 years in education, Don retired and became a builder and developer of new housing in Mustang.

Don is constantly involved.  He is not a person who sits around and complains; he looks for answers and acts on them.  In 1974 three community leaders, including Bill Rowley, Superintendent of Mustang Schools, Gary Huckabay, a local banker, and Don Anderson, extended their coffee session and had a conversation about promoting the positive in all aspects of “growing a town”.  They contacted a group of businessmen, city officials and community leaders to work together for that purpose.  After 42 years, the Positive Posse still meets regularly to promote and discuss issues relating to the Town of Mustang.  Guest speakers and the public are invited to attend.

There are many other activities in which Don participates.  He has served on an advisory board for Mustang Schools, and attends meetings on state highway planning, especially the ones relating to the widening of Highway 152.  Often working behind the scenes, Don makes it a point to be knowledgeable and involved on issues regarding Canadian County and Mustang.  In recognition of that, in 1989 Mustang Chamber of Commerce awarded Don the Mustang Hall of Fame Award.

Because he is a people person, Don is always available to help family, friends and neighbors.  He listens and assists in any way that he can.  He and Charlene have raised their four sons in Mustang where they believe that young people have the best chance for success.  They now have grandchildren and great-grandchildren enjoying the benefits of growing up in this area.  Don and Charlene are long-time members of First Baptist Church where their family has worshiped for many years.

Today Don continues to observe and think about what can be done to promote and protect the good life in Mustang.  He has seen Mustang grow from a small community of 198 citizens when he arrived in 1959 to a bustling Town of Mustang which now boasts almost 20,000 citizens.

Don Anderson has come to stay!  For these 57 years, he has dedicated himself to making Mustang and Canadian County the ideal place to live and raise a family in a great environment.  Don Anderson definitely deserves the honor of being named “2016 Outstanding Citizen of Canadian County”.