Funeral services for Donald Wayne Potter, 83, Lawrence, will be at 10:30 am Thursday at Lawrence Heights Christian Church, with the Rev. Steve Koberlein officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Mr. Potter died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, at his home.
He was born Aug. 1, 1930, in Marion, Kan., the son of John B. and Ruth E. Pierce Potter. He spent his early years in Herington, Kan., and later moved with his family to Lawrence, where he graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1949. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War, earning numerous medals and awards. After his honorable discharge in Dec., 1953, he attended the University of Kansas, where he met and married his first wife, Allois Mary Twigg on Jun. 6, 1955, and raised their family here. Don was proud of his family’s participation in Lawrence Aquahawks and football. Don worked as an equipment operator for Douglas County Public Works, a chemist for Callery Chemical, and a process engineer for Boeing until 1962, when he bought his first service station, Potter’s 66, at 23rd & Louisiana St. This began his entrepreneurship, which included three service stations, a body shop, and Hertz Rent-a-Car, which he continued to operate until his retirement. After Allois passed away on June 7, 1986, he met and married Marie Galluzzi on Jan. 22, 1994, and they shared nearly 20 loving years together. Throughout his life, he was an active member of Sertoma, receiving his 30 year pin and the Sertoman of the Year award, as well as a founder and longtime member of Lawrence Heights Christian Church. In his later years, his passions included raising roses, bird watching, KU athletics, meeting with his LMHS alumni group, participating with Marie in the Christmas Tour of Homes, and volunteering at the Lawrence Visitor’s Center.
Survivors include his wife, Marie, of the home; his children, Stacy Orr and her three children, Erin, Kevin, and Kaitlyn and their families, Lynn Potter, his wife Nancy, and their three children, Dustin, Nikki, and Cassandra and their families, and Sheryl Denny and her husband John; and Marie’s four children, Greg, Annette, Gary, and Dan Galluzzi and their families; a nephew, Mark Coates, and a niece, Debbie Fitzgerald; 20 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Douglas Wayne Potter in 1981, and a sister, Juanita Coates.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:30 – 8 pm, and Thursday from 9:30 – 10:30 am, both at Lawrence Heights Christian Church. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lawrence Heights Christian Church building fund, in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.
MARIE AND FAMILY: I WAS SO SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR HUSBAND’S RECENT DEATH. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE IN MY PRAYERS.
Marie, Sheryl, and family,
We were blessed to know Don as a friend and brother in Christ. Praying God’s comfort and peace be with you as you feel his loss in your lives.
Bob and Paula Hahn
I am grateful for the life of Mr. Potter. Thanks to his service and to the service of others in our armed forces, my family and I have been able to lead our lives in freedom and peace.
My deepest condolences on Mr. Potters passing. His warm smile and great sense of humor will be missed. He would always make me smile when I seen him in the garage @ Hertz. He was a jewel! Heaven has another strong soul!! God Bless.
Monique Davis (Yoho)
We are sorry for your loss.
I worked with Don at Boeing in Wichita in the Process Fuels and Lubricants Laboratory. I also worked for Callery Chemical but at their Muskogee, OK, location. I never knew he had also worked for Callery. Others in the Boeing lab were George Simmons, Wayne Darnell, and our leader Jon Morris. We all enjoyed working together. Don was a friend and a good worker. I always wondered what happened to him. I knew he was from Lawrence.
To My Dear Friend Marie and Family,
May you be comforted at this time, of wonderful and happy memories of Don. His smile and positive nature will be remembered by me always.
With much love and prayers, Angela Conrad
We were so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time. Don was always a good neighbor and friend. He will be missed.
Lynn, Nancy, and family. I am sorry for your loss. I know how much you loved your dad just from our conversations over the years as you mentioned him quite frequently. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Very sorry to hear of Don’s passing.You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Stacy, Lynn, Sheryl, & Marie,
We’re so sorry to learn of Don’s death. He was a quiet, caring person and always there to show support to family members. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Many great memories of him when I was a child through early Adulthood. Prayers and Thoughts your way.
Hello, Marie and son and daughters. May God comfort you as you remember Don’s love and care. And may you receive the strength and encouragement that flow from our friend, Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord.
Rod and Margie Hinkle
Marie and family. I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. We will always remember his kindness and generosity. Thinking of you all.
Dennis and Ramona Kemberling