Donald Lee Talley, 86, of Plattsburg, Missouri, passed away Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Advent Hospital in Meriam, Kansas.
He was born on December 26, 1937, in Kansas City, Missouri, to William Joseph and Dorothy Elizabeth Talley. Don was a high school graduate and had a Bachelor™s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas. Don was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, where he served as a naval officer, serving in the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard a destroyer, and later the SPAR project, an oceanographic research program.
He was a member of the First Christian Church of Plattsburg, where he served as an elder and church board member. Don was quite active in the Plattsburg community; he was a member of the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce, both of Plattsburg, and served 12 years as a Clinton County R-lll School District board member. He was a supporter of the What™s So Ever Boxing Club of Kansas City. Don loved gardening and sharing the produce. He retired from the Army Corps of Engineers after many years of service. He also farmed and owned and operated Show Me Real Estate.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Bill and Jim Talley.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Diane Talley of the home; their children, Heather (Gary) Lackey of Plattsburg, Mo.; Donald Lee (Julie) Talley, Jr. of Smithville, Mo.; Gretchen (Bill) Stevens of Plattsburg, Mo.; sister-in-law Lynn Talley, 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and family and friends.
Healing farewell services will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the First Christian Church of Plattsburg. Interment will be in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Plattsburg. The family gathered with friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at the church. The family suggests memorial gifts to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Hospital, First Christian Church of Plattsburg, Backpack Buddies, or Plattsburg Senior Center. Arrangements: Bailey & Cox Family Funeral Service, Plattsburg. Online guestbook and obituary at www.baileycox.com
