Obituary

Don Blevins, 79, of Lee’s Summit, MO passed away on June 8, 2018. Memorial service will be Saturday, June 23, 2018 at 6pm at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1025 SW Ward Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081. A time for fellowship will follow until 8pm.

Don was born on September 10, 1938 in Pratt, KS. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State College in Kansas, and his Masters in Library Science from the University of Denver. He was employed for 30 years as the Head Librarian at the USDA Northern Regional Agricultural Research Laboratory in Peoria, IL. During this time in Peoria he had a variety of interests including gardening, bowling, tennis, and painting watercolor landscapes. He sang in the “Orpheus Club” men’s choir for many years and volunteered with the Boy Scouts where he was inducted into the “Order of the Arrow.”

Upon retirement he took to the road in his RV and was briefly employed at several campgrounds. He then moved to Sierra Vista, AZ, where he met his wife, Joyce. Together, they enjoyed walking, caring for their dogs, traveling, and exploring new areas. He explored new interests in retirement including golf, both playing and working as a Course Marshall. For several years, he had success as a car salesman at a local dealership. In 2002, they moved to Lee’s Summit, MO, where he became active in the local AA community.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Polly Eliza Blevins; and brother, David Blevins. Survivors include his wife, Joyce, of the home; daughter, Sherri (Steve) Petrie, of Overland Park, KS; son, Howard (Marlene), of Harvest, AL; grandchildren, Stephanie, Emily, Alexa, and Isabel; and 1 great-granddaughter, Jillian.

Arrangements by Langsford Funeral Home, Lee’s Summit, MO.