Donald Lee Everson, 87, of Olathe, Kansas passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday, October 21, 2024. He will forever be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and friend to everyone he knew.
“Don” as he was known by his family and friends was born on August 26, 1937 in Kansas City, Kansas to Alan John and Helen Nadine (Birdsong) Everson. He attended and graduated from Rosedale High School “Class of 1956”. Where he exceeded in Basketball and took his team to win the State Championship. He then met the love of his life, his high school sweetheart Loretta Lucille Craig. They were married on August 14, 1956. Don earned his Associates Degree in Law Enforcement through Johnson County Community College.
Don served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy. After serving his four years in the Navy, he was employed with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department. He then worked for Craig Aero Service in Kansas City, Kansas as a flight instructor, and then as a corporate pilot. In the year 1970 he was employed as a Deputy by the Johnson County Sheriff’s office, and served until 1993. When he retired, he earned the rank as Sargent. After retirement he served that department as a part time pilot until 2002.
Don was an avid KU Basketball fan. He also enjoyed watching Kansas City Chiefs Football and Kansas City Royals Baseball. Don enjoyed spending time with his family. Nothing gave him more pleasure in life than the time he spent with his grandchildren. In his spare time Don enjoyed riding on his motorcycle. Don and his wife Loretta enjoyed taking cruises, traveling, taking trips to Colorado and Lake of the Ozarks with friends and Antiquing. He will be sadly missed.
Don is preceded in death by his parents Alan and Helen Everson and his son Darrell Everson. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years Loretta Everson, two sons, Andrew “Andy” Everson and his wife Kim of Olathe, Kansas, Gary Everson of Kansas City, Kansas, his daughter Dawn Gerety and her husband Kent of Keller, Texas and daughter-in-law Maria Everson of Leavenworth, Kansas. Left behind to cherish his memory are his seven grandchildren Cali Seddon (Nick), Cassie Everson, Lindsay McDonald (Brandon), Emily “Mo” Everson, Benjamin “Ben” Everson, Ryan Gerety and Kristin Gerety, three great grandchildren Alex Boyd, Keira “Kei” Seddon and Nova Seddon.
Funeral Services will be 4:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon November 2, 2024 at the McGilley & Frye Funeral Home 105 East Loula Street Olathe, Kansas. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Don will be cremated according to his wishes. A private family Inurnment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. 5445 Parallel Parkway Kansas City, Kansas 66104.
Condolences may be offered at www.McGilley-Frye.com
