Long-time Comanche County resident, Don Kittell, passed away on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16, 2024, at Protection Valley Manor, Protection, KS.

Don, or Donk as he was known by his classmates from Coldwater High School, was born to John and Thelma (McCorkle) Kittell on December 18, 1933. Don claimed that December of 1933 was the lowest per capita birth month in the United States due to the Great Depression.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Barbara.  Don leaves behind one son, John, who resides in Glendale, Arizona.

Don spent most of his life as a salesman and installer of temperature equipment in grain elevators. If you knew Don, the salesman traits were immediately apparent. He could talk to anyone about anything, although he was convinced that his opinion was usually right.

Don liked to say that he lived a long life because he lived a clean life, never drinking, smoking, gambling, or chasing women. I'll let readers (and his three ex-wives) draw their own conclusions on whether they think he was speaking the truth with that statement.

Don was an avid football fan, becoming a fan of the Detroit Lions later in life because their best player, Barry Sanders, is also from Kansas. He had a system to tell you which team was going to win based on all the stats, an analysis that he very much enjoyed studying. Countless pads of paper were meticulously filled out by hand to compare offensive production, defensive production and trends. Some years his system even worked 50% of the time.    He also taught many, many people his system for horse racing. This included everyone from adults to children.

Don's greatest joy came in the last two years of his life when his son left the corporate world to become a high school teacher and football coach. From then on, every conversation started with the latest news on his son's team, what their team strengths were, and if they thought they were going to win the next game.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Protection Valley Manor in care of Hatfield-Prusa Funeral Home, P.O. Box 417, Coldwater, KS 67029.

A short graveside service will take place at the Wilmore Cemetery in Wilmore, KS, at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, June 20, 2024.