Donald Gene Mcdow

Graveside inurnment for Donald Gene McDow, 87, Lawrence will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2016 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence. There will be a celebration of life from 4-6 p.m. on Friday following the graveside at the American Legion in Lawrence. He passed away Saturday, October 29, 2016 at Bridge Haven in Lawrence.

Don was born May 3, 1929 in Weatherby, MO the son Everett and Mary (Channell) McDow.

He served his country in the United States Navy and U.S. Naval Reserves.

He married his wife, Roberta Jean Ross in 1949.

He was preceded in death by both parents; and his son, Richard McDow.

He worked for General Motors until he moved to Lawrence in 1958 and opened the Ben Franklin Store, was instrumental in starting downtown Lawrence sidewalk sale, and then owned Don McDow Insurance Agency until retirement in 1995.

He was very involved in many community activities throughout Lawrence. He was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church, a member of Masonic Lodge, Abdallah Shrine, Optimist Club (past Lt. Gov) Elks Lodge, (Past Exalter Ruler) Past Commander Dorsey Liberty Post 14 of the American Legion), Breakfast Optimist, Big Blue Sportsmen Club, Fraternal Order of Police (Association Member), Life Underwriters Association, Professional Insurance Agents of Kansas, Past President of Hearts of American Seniors. Golf Association and was Instructor for AARP 55 Alive Driving Course. He was also Douglas County Chairman March of Dimes from 1966 – 1969, Grand Marshall of St. Pat’s Day Parade in 1992, and Vice President of Marysville Mutual Insurance Company in Marysville, KS.

He is survived by his loving wife, Roberta McDow; sister, Kay Dudley; two daughters, Suzanne Nutt, (David), Deborah Miller, (Mark); five grandchildren, Sara Nutt Gagne (Dave), Katy Hamilton (Barrett), Bradley Nutt (Eleysha), Andrew Miller (Lacey), Erin Miller (Cody) six great grandchildren; and many friends.

Most of all he loved his fishing, hunting, and golfing. He was an excellent storyteller and always had a new joke and he wanted everyone to know he was a very nice guy.

Memorials may be made in his name to the Lawrence Humane Society, American Legion – Dorsey Liberty Post 14, or Douglas County Historical Society and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.