Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas
Donald Eugene Fordyce, 93, passed away on December 14, 2021, at Azria Health of Great Bend, Kansas. He was born on November 24, 1928 at Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Glenn G. and Oreta N. (Plummer) Fordyce. Donald served as a private in the Colorado National Guard from 1948 to 1949. He then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, in History and Social Science from the University of Colorado in 1959.
On May 21, 1949, he married Naida Jeanne Householter, in Brighton, Colorado. They then lived in Denver for many years, moving to Carlsbad, New Mexico in the seventies where they lived for about 10 years, before moving to El Paso, Texas. They resided in El Paso for over 30 years, finally moving to Ellinwood to be closer to family. Donald was self-employed as a real estate agent. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Boy Scouts of America.
He is survived by three children; Scott Fordyce and wife Laura of Hondo, Texas, Sharla Durrett and husband Robin of Great Bend, Kansas, Mark Fordyce and wife Kim of Colleyville, Texas; grandchildren, Melina Salazar and husband Raleigh of Tacoma, Washington, Ty Fordyce of Austin, Texas, Sara Alvarado of Hondo, Texas, Silvester Alvarado of Hondo, Texas, Johnathan Durrett of Fredonia, Kansas, Jacob Durrett and wife Caitlin of Manhattan, Kansas, Mysha Dumois and husband Tim of Dallas, Texas, Mark William Fordyce, II and wife Sarah of Grand Prairie, Texas; and six great-grandchildren, Hudson Dumois and Mark William (Tripp) Fordyce, III, Rhett, Copeland, and Archer Fordyce, and Mia Salazar.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Naida, his parents, and sisters, Lois Painter and husband Red, and Dorothy Ross and husband Thomas.
Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 22, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church in Hoisington, with Pastor Chris Lehew presiding. There will be no viewing as cremation has taken place.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church and the Great Bend Elks Club in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.