Donald Atkinson

Donald D. Atkinson, age 85, of Blue Rapids, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2020, at Blue Valley Senior Living in Blue Rapids.

Don was born Donald D. McCormick on January 30, 1934 in Manhattan. He is the son of Elvan V. and Gladys E. (Gauby) Atkinson. Elvan and Gladys took Don into their home when he was fourteen then adopted him five years later. Because of his experiences in an orphanage, Don was very close to his adopted family and later to his biological family. He also made sure his children knew they were loved and worked hard to ensure they had what they needed and more. He called the girls either “Hon” or “Babe” and the grandkids always “Babe”.

Don graduated from Blue Rapids High School in 1953. 

He joined the US Army spending a tour in Korea. 

He met his wife Claudia Brooks in September of 1965, three months later, on December 26th they were married. That marriage lasted 54 years.

Don is a retired City Mail Carrier for the Blue Rapids Post Office. He used to walk his fourteen mile route then come home and work in his woodshop for several more hours. He enjoyed working on many wood projects there, including: nine cedar chests for his daughters and other family members, semis, rocking horses, carousel horses and countless trains. He cut out the trophies for the first Barnyard Boogie in 1991 and has made them every year since then, except for two. He also loved to do crossword puzzles, board games, dice and putting puzzles together.

Survivors include his wife Claudia, his three daughters: Julie (Gary) Hutson of Blue Rapids, Donna (Frank) Weiss of Beatrice and Sarah (James) Welch of Blue Rapids, two sisters Judy (Maurice) McCoy of Carthage, Missouri, Mary (Don) Lytle of Blue Rapids, a brother Les (Bev) Atkinson of Blue Rapids and six grandchildren: Gary (Emily) Hutson, II, Greg Hutson, Gabe Hutson, Chaney Weiss, Remi Weiss, and Nathan Kurtz.

Preceding in death were his parents and four of his brothers and sisters: Jack Knott, Norma Dial, Bill McCormick and Carol Norman.

Viewing is from noon to 8:00 pm, Thursday, with visitation between 6:00 and 8:00 pm, at Terry-Christie Funeral Home in Waterville.  Funeral services are at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 17, 2020, at Terry-Christie Funeral Home in Waterville with Pastor Jeremy Henderson officiating. A pre-recorded selection of “Daddy’s Hands will be played. Casket Bearers are his grandchildren: Gary Hutson, Greg Hutson, Gabe Hutson, Chaney Weiss, Remi Weiss and Nathan Kurtz. Burial with Military Honors is at Fairmont Cemetery in Blue Rapids.

Memorials are suggested to the “Donald Atkinson Memorial”, to be designated later and may be sent in care of Terry-Christie Funeral Home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.