Donald Foster Perry

Donald Foster Perry, 89, passed away early Friday, October 30, 2020 at his home in Emporia, surrounded by his family.
He was born March 28, 1931 in Spickard, Missouri the son of Foster J. and Mary Sommerville Perry. Don was baptized as a youth in the Thompson Branch of the Grand River at Spickard, Missouri.
Don attended Lebo High School and graduated with the Class of 1949. He joined the United States Air Force on November 20, 1951 he would receive a honorable discharge after four years of service on November 19, 1955 Don returned to his academic pursuits and enrolled at Kansas State Teacher’s College in Emporia. Don would earn a Bachelors Degree in 1958 and a Masters Degree in 1961.
He taught business at Chapman Kansas and served on the school administration for a total of 23 years. He would later take a position with the Arkansas State Bank in Clarksville, Arkansas for seven years. He worked five years at the Security Bank & Trust in Miami, Oklahoma and eventually retired after several years at the State Bank of Lebo.
Don married the love of his life, Mary “Carolyn” Irwin on October 10, 1950 in Wamego, Ks. They recently celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary earlier this month. They were members of the Lebo/Olivet United Methodist Church and maintained their membership after moving to Emporia in 2016. Following their move to Emporia, Don and Carolyn began attending First United Methodist Church in Emporia while always remaining close with their friends from Lebo.
Don served his communities as well as the churches he attended. He had previously served on the Chapman City Council, the USD 243 Lebo/Waverly School Board of Education, The Lebo American Legion and Lebo Lions Club. He held numerous church offices and committee positions throughout the years.
Don will live on in the hearts and memories of his devoted wife, Mary “Carolyn” Perry of their home; a daughter, Donna Stewart and husband William A. of Lexington, Nebraska; sons, Steven J. Perry and wife Aurora of Beaumont California and Stan D. Perry DVM and his wife Amy of Emporia; a sister, Mary Sue Fancher; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous extended family and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Daniel Mark Perry; sisters, Phyllis Bowlin, Marjorie Jones and Gladys Williams.
In keeping with Don’s desire to further knowledge through teaching, he gifted his body through the anatomical research department at U.M.K.C.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, November 6, 2020 at the Lebo United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. at the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home in Lebo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lebo/Olivet United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church or the Chapman USD 473 Foundation and sent in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com. Face coverings are required when attending the family visitation and services. Due to social distancing, a limited number of seats are available at the church.