Donald Dean Childers, 94 died Friday, January 30, 2015 at his home in Garden City. He was born August 21, 1920 in Freeport, Kansas the son of Hugh Dean & Yolande Zella (Burton) Childers.
Donald graduated from high school in Bluff City, Kansas. He then served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945. He served during WWII in the European Theatre. After the service Don lived in Anthony, Kansas where he began working for Conoco. After a couple of years, Don began working for Massey Harris/Massey Ferguson. He moved to Colby, Kansas for a short time and in 1957 he moved to Garden City where he has lived since. Donald worked for Massey Harris/Massey Ferguson for 33 years. He became a district manager and later served as store manager in Garden City and Dodge City for 28 years retiring in 1980. He also worked at the Kansas State Experiment Station and Wheatland Electric. Donald was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Garden City, the Masonic Lodge, American Legion, VFW, and current member and Charter member of the Garden City Sunriser’s Kiwanis. Donald enjoyed camping, fishing, dancing and spending time with his grandchildren.
On September 29, 1947 he married Alice Vlcek in Wellington, Kansas. She survives. Other survivors include a son James & wife Paula Childers of Huntington Beach, California; a daughter Stacey & husband Chris King of Satanta, Kansas; and five grandchildren Casey Childers, Jessica Childers, Corey Childers; Melissa King, and Addison King. Donald is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Yolande Kay Bestgen; a brother Marlin Childers; and a sister Colleen Urquhart.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Garden City with Rev. Brian Faust officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City with military graveside rites conducted by the Kansas Army Reserve National Guard and the Garden City area Veterans Honor Guard. There will be no calling hours. The family requests memorials given to St. Catherine Cancer Center in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City.