Don Edwards

Don Edwards, 83, of rural Yates Center, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018, at his home

Donald Raydean Edwards was born Dec. 20, 1934, in rural Yates Center, the second son of Gail and Luella Edwards. He grew up on the family farm and ranch northwest of Yates Center with older brother Robert, sister Mary Ann, and younger sister Kathy, where he learned the importance of agriculture and hard work. Nickeltown had a one room school that he attended until the 8th grade. He moved to Yates Center and attended Yates Center High School where he excelled in sports and was a varsity member of the football and basketball teams. Don graduated in 1953 and later attended the College of Emporia on scholarship to play football and baseball. He later returned to rural Yates Center and began farming and ranching near his family farm.

He joined the Army National Guard in Yates Center and served nine years before being honorably discharged.

In November of 1962 Don courted and later married Mary Lee Justice of West Mineral, Kansas. They settled just a few miles from Nickeltown and raised two sons Bill and J.J.

Don loved working with cattle and was always faithful to tending to his herd regardless of the weather or the season. He endeavored in this industry for over 60 years while also tending to his family, and his home. Don served on the Woodson County Conservation District, the Kansas Livestock Association and was a member of the Turkey Creek United Methodist Church. He enjoyed hunting and the outdoors and was well known for his excellent shot hunting game birds. He was always happy to talk with neighbors and community members at ball games and social events and never met anyone who he didn’t befriend.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Ann Watts.

He is survived by his wife Mary Lee of the home; brother Robert, and brother-in-law Gale Watts, of rural Gridley; sister Kathy Cropp and husband Russell of Bethany, Okla.; his sons Bill and his wife Betsy of Thomaston, Conn., and J.J. and wife Kristi and grandson Justice of Yates Center; nephews Brad and Donnie Lee and his wife Donna Edwards of Yates Center, Rex and wife Kristi Watts of Cottonwood Falls, Greg Cropp of New Mexico, Doug Cropp and wife Amy of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Chad Cropp of Riverside, Calif.; nieces Pam (Watts) Johnson and husband Steve from Topeka, Patty (Watts) Beyer and husband Phil of Burlington, many cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Memorial services will be held 10 a.m. Monday at Turkey Creek United Methodist Church northwest of Yates Center. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Askren Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Campbell Funeral Home in Yates Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to Turkey Creek United Methodist Church and may be sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home, PO Box 188, Yates Center, KS 66783.