Don Lee Christopher's Obituary
Don was born to John and Zelma Calhoun Christopher on February 6, 1935, in Wichita, Kansas. He departed this life Friday evening, April 6, 2007, in Strafford, Missouri, at the age of seventy-two years, and two months. He was born in Wichita, Kansas, and then moved with his family to Goddard, Kansas, where Don attended and graduated from Goddard High School in May of 1953. During high school, Don played six man football and met his future wife, Patricia Higbee. They were Maypole King and Queen together. There were sixteen in his graduating class. Don attended Friends University, earning a degree in industrial engineering in only three years. While attending Friends, Don enjoyed performing with the university choir, The Singing Quakers. Upon graduation in 1956, Don went to work for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita. He and Pat were married on June 1, 1956. They made their first home in Goddard, Kansas and their first child, Tammy, was born in September of 1957. Don went to work for the H. D. Lee Company (now the VF Corporation) in June of 1960. His second daughter, Dawn, was only a few days old when he moved the family to Shawnee Mission, Kansas to begin his career with the company. He worked his way up from engineer to plant manager. During his career with Lee, he worked in Cherryvale, Kansas. It was while living there that his son, Bob, was born in October of 1963. After a short term move to Jasper, Georgia, he was transferred to Seymour, Missouri in July of 1969, then to Lebanon in January of 1975. From Lebanon he drove to Houston and Hartville managing plants there for many years. Don retired after thirty-five years in the Lee Corporation. Don is survived by his wife, Pat, of the home; their daughters, Tammy Haney, and her husband, Gary, of Seymour, Missouri, and Dawn Moritz, and her husband, Steve, of Versailles, Missouri; their son, Bob Christopher, and his wife, Maureen, of Liberty, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Matthew Haney, and his wife, Kristee, Joshua Haney, and his wife, Gina, Susie Sidebottom, and her husband, Jeremy, Brock and Blake Christopher, and Patricia and Bonnie Moritz; a great-granddaughter, Jailyn; his brother, J.D. Christopher, and his wife, Shirley, of Overland Park, Kansas; a sister, Rosalea Thompson, of Billings, Montana; several nieces and nephews; special friends, Gail and Maxine Myers, of Springfield, Missouri; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. Don and Pat enjoyed camping and many family vacations were spent in Colorado. After the children left home, they often traveled with their friends of more than forty years, Gail and Maxine Myers. They visited many states and had wonderful adventures. Don and Pat also were able to visit many countries in Europe. After they were both retired, they took a three month trip to Canada and Alaska with Don’s brother J.D. and his wife, Shirley. Don’s last trip was an early celebration of his and Pat’s 50th wedding anniversary in which they took their children and their spouses on a cruise and land tour of Alaska making many wonderful memories for them. Don was very active in his church life. He was ordained as deacon of First Baptist Church in Seymour, Missouri, where he was also music leader. Don also served as deacon in Lebanon First Baptist Church, where he was a choir member for thirty years. In the mid 1980’s, Don portrayed Jesus in the church passion play. This role had a significant impact on his life, as well as the lives of many who saw him. Music was a very important part of Don’s life. He used his God given talent to its fullest. Don was an avid support of missions. He and Pat went on a mission trip to Ecuador in 1991 with members of their church. He also joined the Gideon ministry where he enjoyed having an active role supporting the ministry of Bible distribution throughout the world. Don had many wonderful opportunities and pleasures in his life, but few things (besides his grandchildren) brought him as much pleasure as his farm. Don had a farm outside of town where he raised cattle. It was a place he loved to go with his son and grandchildren. Many days were spent building and repairing, but also 4-wheeling, hunting, sledding, and puttering. A favorite family event was having a big bonfire and wiener roast each February. Don was famous for having record heat generated from those bonfires! Don was a wonderful husbandand father, but his favorite job was being a grandfather. When the grandchildren were around, he would be found on the floor playing with them – or chasing them – or sneaking up on them to get their “gollywhopper”. He attended their plays, music events, sporting events, anything he could that would show his love and support. He left them a wonderful example of integrity and faith. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2007, in the First Baptist Church of Lebanon. Burial will be in Mount Rose Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Memorials to the Gideon Bible Ministry may be made through the funeral home.
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