Dennis Deon Donovan, 78, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2024 at his residence.
Dennis was born April 20, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the son of Carl and LeNora (Shara) Donovan. He grew up on a farm near Lewis, Kansas. He was a 1963 graduate of Lewis High School. He also was an Eagle Scout. He then attended Ft. Hays State University.
Dennis served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1967. He served his tour of duty in the Vietnam War. After his tour he retired to Kansas. Later in life, he attended and graduated from the Wichita Area Technical College with a degree in HVAC.
Dennis was united in marriage to Sherry Fisher in 1971. This union was blessed with three children; Kyle, Kasey and Kayla. They made their home in Kinsley, Kansas. They divorced later in 1993.
Dennis was a proud Truckdriver hauling cattle, or in his words a ‘Bovine Relocation Specialist.’ His CB handle was ‘Fat Albert.’ Prior to this he worked at Big A Auto Parts for many years and then as a Parts Manager for the Ford Garage in Kinsley & Bucklin. He also worked as a Farmer/Rancher. After retirement, his ‘jobs’ were helping with a friendly smile at COOP, A & W, Stoppel Supply and the Playdium Bowl, all of Russell, Kansas. He was a lifemember of the Kinsley V.F.W. Post# 7349 and later transferred to Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s events, attending the COOP early morning coffee group, bowling, watching squirrels, and collecting humorous T-shirts. Dennis was known for his slow cruising through town whether it was in his pickup or his ranger, always greeting everyone with a smile and his silly antics and a joke or two if you were lucky. Some good.. Some bad! Although he loved them all!
Dennis’ surviving family include his daughter, Kayla Donovan (Dakota) of Kinsley, Kansas; sons, Kyle Donovan (Mandi Blundon) of Russell, Kansas and Kasey Donovan (Laurie) of LaCrosse, Kansas; brothers, Gary Drawbridge (Anita) of Mooreland, Oklahoma and William Wright of Woodlawn, Oklahoma; sisters, Dandy (Norman) Tramba of Edmond, Oklahoma, Dee Burns of Bonner Springs, Kansas and Ann Morris of Malcolm, Missouri; and six grandchildren; Austin, Harlee, Myiah, Kiana, Taelynn and Zade.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and daughter-in-law, Kellie Donovan. Celebration of Dennis’ Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell. A Graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM, Tuesday at the Trotter Cemetery near Lewis, Kansas, where Military Rites will be conducted by the Kinsley VFW # 7349 Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday, March 25, 2024, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established as the Dennis Donovan Memorial Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who are in charge of these arrangements.