Donald D Homewood

Donald (Don) David Homewood, born December 29, 1929, in Topeka, Kansas, passed away on March 29, 2024, in Topeka, Kansas. He would be the first to tell you that he lived a wonderful life filled everyday with the love of family and friends.

Born to David F. and Lucille L. (Bartee) Homewood, he was the oldest of three sons. He shared his childhood with a close family that included his two brothers Jimmy and Richard and his older sister, Ruth.

His parents were kind, generous, and hard-working and always opened their home to those in need in the difficult years of the depression. He was blessed to have at times shared his childhood home with his Grandma Kate Homewood, Uncle's James and Woodrow Homewood, and Aunt Bess (Bartee) Sharon and his cousins Darlene and Charlie.

From the age of one, Don spent his childhood in Marceline, Missouri. Don graduated from Marcelene High School in 1947. He was his Senior Class President and played football and spent his summers swimming. Don enjoyed his first paying job as a soda fountain jerk at Drennen's Drug Store. However, he was not at all fond of his "volunteer" work on a neighbor's small farm as he lived in fear of the meanest rooster ever to grace a barnyard.

Shortly after graduation, he followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway communications department where he worked for forty-three years and retired in 1989. First serving on the line gang where he travelled and worked living a bachelor's life with colleagues on the road who became lifelong friends. Don earned his position as Division Lineman and held posts in first, Florence, Kansas and finally, Chanute, Kansas. He built and maintained telephone lines and communication towers. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Don proudly served in the United States Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean Conflict. Following basic and signal training at Camp Gordon, Georgia, Don's service was in post-war Germany during the American Occupation. He rose to the rank of Corporal within the Army Security Agency (ASA) before being honorably discharged. Don belonged to the American Legion Post 0170 and The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1654 in Chanute, Kansas.

At a mutual friend's wedding in the summer of 1954, Don met his lifelong love, (Lillian) Doreen Hays. They were married in Emporia, Kansas, during a blizzard on March 25, 1955 with Don's sister, Ruth and her husband, Doreen's cousin, Art Rathke witnessing the ceremony. Together, Don and Doreen built a safe, loving home and happy family. Their firstborn, Stephen Michael, joined them on March 2, 1956, and their daughter Dona Sue, soon after on March 12, 1958. After Don's transfer to Chanute in 1963, they resided in Humboldt, Kansas until 2007. Emily Dawn was a welcomed third child to their family on May 8, 1973.

Don always said that having a child when you were older kept you young at heart.

Don and Doreen loved their life together and made Humboldt their home. Over these forty-three years, they made dear friends, (Bob and Bonnie Coldwell, Agnes and Vernie Wing, and Paul and Beverly Olson) who they enjoyed spending time with playing cards, bowling, travelling, and fishing. Gardening was a cherished pastime and they loved keeping a beautiful yard and flowers. Don always remained close to all of his family and spent lots of weekends as a younger man hunting and fishing with Stephen, his Dad, his brothers, brother-in-laws, and nephews at various family ranches and farms. Don and Doreen made holidays very special and family and friends always gathered at their home enjoying Don's famous candied ham.

Don volunteered as a Little League Baseball coach and with Parents for Exceptional Children, and Special Olympics. After retirement, Don spent many hours volunteering at the Humboldt Historical Society, Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging, where he served as Board Director, and the Humboldt Senior Center.

In 2007, with health issues becoming a concern, Don and Doreen moved to Topeka, Kansas, to be near their daughters and son-in-law Larry Booe. During these last years, Don enjoyed time with just Doreen taking day trips, shopping, and dining out. He took time to indulge in some art projects and he never lost his love for reading and visiting with the dear neighbors in their senior neighborhood at Martin Creek Place.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his son, his siblings and all his brother and sister in-laws. He is survived by his wife, Doreen, Topeka; daughter and son-in-law, Dona and Larry Booe and his daughter Emily Homewood all of Meriden, Kansas. Don has two grandsons, Joshua Homewood and Jacob (wife, Jennifer) Homewood and one granddaughter, Heather (Maloney, Gardener) Homewood. Don has three great-grandsons, Gabe Gardener, Gavin Gardener, and Beau Homewood. He has one great-granddaughter, Hallie Homewood. He was also happy to know Karma (Haynes) Wright and her daughter Atley Wright as his step-granddaughter and step-great-granddaughter. He was blessed with being close to and having the love of many wonderful nephews, nieces, and cousins throughout his life.

Don had grown tired and was ready to rest peacefully. He will be missed by all those who loved him dearly. Following cremation, a private family graveside service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, Humboldt, Kansas. Memorial contributions are suggested for the Humboldt Historical Society and Museum in care of Dove Cremation and Funeral Services, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd., Topeka Kansas, 66610.