Donald E. Anthony

Donald Edward Anthony, age 92, Kingsville, MO was born October 10, 1928 and passed away December 18, 2020. Graveside service at Green Lawn Cemetery, Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Brown Anthony; mother, Pricey (Handley) Anthony; sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Joseph Booher; daughter, Penny Diane; and son, James Michael; aunts, uncles and cousins. He was the loving father of daughter, Angela Anthony and son-in-law, Bill Osment; and uncle of Debbie Pulluiam.

Don was born in Kansas City, KS and the family moved to Smithville in 1936. His father, James Brown died in 1938. Donald worked after school and summers to help his mother and sister. He attended Smithville School where he was active in student government, school band, quarterback of football team.

After graduating, Don joined the Army, managing PX and played in the band for Officers' club activities. He returned to Smithville and formed a small band, playing in area lounge/bars in KC. Some members were friends or cousins of his girlfriend, Patsy. They lived in Kansas City where he attended technical school on GI bill and earned a degree in drafting. They moved to Gladstone, MO where their three children were born.

Don worked for Wilcox Electric where a friend introduced interest in photography and astronomy. He belonged to Kansas City Astronomy Club and built an observatory to house his telescope. A friend, Lafe Williams of KCTV had it featured in a news section of KCTV.

Later Don and family moved to Albuquerque NM where he worked for engineering firm that did contract jobs with Sandia Base there. In 1969 the children were involved in car accident, resulting in Penny's death and badly injured Mike, and sister Angela and friend Orlando Martinez also suffered severe injuries.

In 1970 Don and family moved back to Kansas City, where he worked for an engineering/electrical company. Angela graduated from Ruskin High School with honors and later moved to Brussels, Belgium. Michael joined the Army, but after training was given honorable discharge.

After their parents divorce, Mike moved with his mother to Independence, MO and Don moved to farm at Kingsville, MO, working the land to divert flood waters in order to grow soybeans. He also worked at King's Electric in Kansas City until retirement. Mike, Angela and dad spent most holidays together during the next 30 years. Don became good friends of neighbors, the Perkins family. Don and Angela followed other family through their study of family genealogy. Don was a deacon in the RLDS church where they found there was nothing he couldn't do or fix, even farm equipment.

Don was a brilliant man and scientist... a gracious man. His health began to decline and he was living in a Cass county nursing home where he was diagnosed with Covid-19, and daughter and husband were hospitalized and unable to be with him. Don was moved to Research Medical Center in KC where he died.

Graveside service at Green Lawn Cemetery, Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm.