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Donald Eugene "Don" Fuqua, 91, life-long resident of Caney, Kansas, graduated from this life on Friday, January 5, 2018, at St John (Jane Phillips) Hospital, Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
Don was born May 25, 1926, in Caney, Kansas, the third of five sons to Alvie Reed and Terry Elizabeth (Snider) Fuqua. He was raised on his family's farm, Maple Grove Farm, outside Caney, where the family raised chickens, dairy cattle, and goats. At the age of 5, he lost his father and so he and his four brothers helped their mother run the farm as well as helped their grandparents and uncles with the Fuqua Grocery, Fuqua Meat Market, and Fuqua Dairy. One of his earliest memories, was when Mr. Pond (his future father-in-law) came to the farm selling Watkins Bag Balm for the dairy cattle and he spotted the "prettiest little girl I ever saw" sitting in the back seat of her father's car. Joella caught his eye, even at the young age of ten.
Don and his brothers grew up singing together at home with their mother, which led to a great musical heritage. All the boys grew up attending First Baptist Church and sang together as a quintet, even recording a record in early adulthood with Joella as the pianist.
Donald enlisted in the Navy in 1944. After graduation from Caney High School, he reported for duty on May 25 (his birthday) in Kansas City, and then rode the train to Farragut, Idaho, Naval Training Station. After basic training, he was assigned to the base hospital in Farragut. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on October 13, 1944. After returning home, he was employed by Cities Service Pipeline in Caney from 1944 to 1952.
He married the love of his life, Joella Dee Pond, on May 16, 1947, the night she graduated from high school. Because of a heavy rainstorm and flooding, the pastor, Joe Samuels, youth minister from Sedan, came thru Hale (KS) and high water (literally) to perform the marriage in the home of Joella's parents in Caney. The couple settled in Caney. There they started their family in 1948 with the birth of their first son, Randall Eugene. In 1952, they had a second son, David Edward. That same year, Don became employed by Phillips Petroleum, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, as an accountant and comptroller for the next 33 years, retiring in 1985.
Donald loved spending time in his workshop. He enjoyed woodworking and organizing all the many one-of-a-kind items and selection of tools he collected. A fun activity for him was going to local auctions and finding his treasures. He also spent many hours researching family history and volunteering at the Caney Valley Historical Society. Don loved fishing, whistling, music, traveling, and most of all, spending time with his family.
He was music director at Caney First Baptist Church for over 50 years, accompanied by his wife, Joella, on the piano and organ. Their ministry included accompanying and running sound for the Born Again Trio. They also led the Caney Community Choir for over 20 years and enjoyed their involvement with that and its participation in the Memorial Day services. Music was a big part of their lives which led to many "singspirations" when the Fuqua family would gather together.
He is survived by his sons: Randy and Rita Fuqua of Wichita, KS; David and Marilyn Fuqua of rural Caney, KS; three grandchildren: Jill Fuqua of Wichita, KS; Donnie and Laura Fuqua of Independence, KS; and Cyndi and Edgard Torres of Caney, KS; and five great-grandchildren: Piper, Milo, and Rhys Fuqua; and Aubrey and Aidan Torres.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joella, in 2013; parents Alvie and Terry Fuqua; and brothers, A.R., Bill, Ralph, and Norman.
Visitation and funeral services are scheduled the same day, Friday, January 12, 2018, at Cornerstone Church, Caney, Kansas. Visitation will be at 10:00am with funeral services at 1:30pm. Interment will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery Caney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Robert and Ann Fuqua with East-West Ministries, Ron and Debbie Fuqua with Wycliffe Bible Translators, or to the Caney Valley Historical Society.
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