Donald R Cullers was born April 6th, 1936 in Hugoton, Kansas to Walter Franklin and Hazel Irene (Kagarice) Cullers. His family moved to Missouri when he was a young boy. He attended Cassville High school. In 1954, he joined the Navy and after serving 5 years, he received a medical discharge after losing sight in his left eye.
He married Bernita Ash in 1955. Donna Faye was born June 30, 1956 and Debbie Kaye was born January 28, 1959.
Donna studied architectural drafting. Her husband, Arturo Flores, is a technical writer. They have three sons, Josiah, William, and Alvin.
Debbie is a pharmacist. Her husband, Lee Barton, is a retired nuclear process operator. Both these families live in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
In 1964, Don married Sandra Helmerich. James Ray was born February 17, 1965 and Cheryl Lynne was born March 20 1967.
James followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming an electronics specialist in the Navy, and he retired as a Chief after 20 years in the submarine service.
Jim, who resides in Massachusetts, and his former wife, Lori, have four daughters: Kristy Lynn (23), Samantha Jean (20), Julia Marie (17), and Jennifer May (15). Three of the girls live in Connecticut while I live here, in Missouri.
Cheryl and her husband, Randy Bowman, are both metallurgical engineers at NASA in Cleveland, Ohio.
Don married Mary Churchman on December 7, 1986. Grandmary always called there anniversary her D-Day. They met square dancing and have been married for 26 happy years.
Don’s step-son, Mike Gibson and his wife, Debbie, have a 10 years old daughter, Ryley. They live in Topeka, Kansas.
Niece, Addison Vance-Meyers, has been a special part of his life. She currently lives in Germany with her new husband, Sebastian Meyers.
Don has an extensive work history. He was a photographer, an electronics specialist, a commercial maintenance worker, a welder, and taught audio-visual at Park College in Kansas City. He retired at the age of 60.
He enjoyed many outdoor activities, especially taking care of his animals at his farm. He loved his llamas, Belted Gallaway cows, and Annie, the Watusi cow with massive horns. He also loved his dogs and owned a variety of breeds including Rhodesian Ridgebacks, St. Bernards, and standard Poodles.
Services and celebration of his life in the Greenlawn Funeral Home East at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, July 31, 2013. Burial will follow at Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Rd, Springfield, MO
off of Evans Rd. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday, July 30, 2013 in the funeral home.