Donald R. Painter went home to be with the Lord on September 15, 2023, surrounded by his family and friends.
He was born in Saint Joseph, Missouri on September 10, 1926, to George and Rose Tindle Painter and lived all his life in the Saint Joseph area. He graduated from Lafayette High School where he participated in sports and was a skilled boxer, eventually boxing at both a semi-pro and pro level.
After graduation from high school, he served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He sailed on tankers in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. He was within sight of the USS Missouri when Japan signed the agreement to surrender, which ended World War II.
After the war, he returned to Saint Joseph where he met and married Louise Koneczny, June 25, 1952. He worked for the Railroad in the Corby Building in downtown Saint Joseph. During the Korean War he was drafted and served as First Sergeant on the front lines and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.
After his discharge from the Army, he returned to his former job at the railroad in Saint Joseph. In June of 1956, he went to work at the American Angus Association as a supervisor. He was named Office Manger in 1958 and Director of Member Services in 1978. He was inducted in the Angus Heritage Foundation in 1992. He was a highly respected and valuable member of the executive team of the Angus Association where he retired in the spring of 2001.
Don was highly respected for his integrity and his strong work ethic. He cared relentlessly for his parents, his wife, and companion, Joyce Watts, in their times of need. He was a man who blessed many others with his generosity. He was a very private man who genuinely cared for others.
Don was an outdoorsman. Over the years he had cabins on area lakes and rivers. The last cabin was on the Missouri River where he enjoyed boating. He had several motorcycles. He was a pilot and owned several planes. Flying was the pastime he enjoyed most.
Don is preceded in death by his wife Louise, his parents, his brother Roy, and his companion, Joyce. He is survived by a special niece who cared for him in his home, many other nephews and nieces and many friends. Don requested no visitation or funeral services.
