Donald P. Michael, 95, died Nov. 2, 2014, while at his son Mark's home in Richland, Wash., surrounded by family and those who loved him. He was born Dec. 26, 1918, in Syracuse, Kan., the son of John William and Jessie Ellen Jones Michael.

He graduated from Trousdale High School, Trousdale, Kan., in 1936, from Fort Hays State in 1940, attended Cite University in Paris, France, and the University of Durham, Durham, England, both in 1945, received his master's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1948, completed post-graduate work from the University of Michigan in 1957, and was selected as state of Kansas representative for the Council of Superintendents at Columbia University, New York, N.Y., in 1975.

On March 1, 1941, on the family farm in Trousdale, Don married Cleone O. Parker. She died Oct. 31, 2008.

Don served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Europe from 1941-45, receiving the Gold Star and two Bronze Stars for distinguished service in battle. He later served in the Korean Conflict from 1950-52 and served for 26 years in the Army National Guard, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was a lifetime member of NEA, First United Methodist Church and Pi Gamma Mu International Relations Society.

Don served in the Hutchinson school district for the majority of his educational career, serving as teacher, coach, principal, associate superintendent and superintendent before retiring in 1980. The Hutchinson school board honored his years of exemplary service by naming the high school practice field," The Don Michael Field."

He is survived by: sons, Drs. John R. and Clara Michael of Salt Lake City, Utah, Kurt L. and Kathy Michael of Baltimore, Md., Dr. Mark A. and Linda Michael of Richland, Wash., and Brad L. and Frederique Michael of Chandler, Ariz.; sister, Mary Ellen Benson of Houston; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, with one more due in December. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cleone; brothers, Ralph, John and Lawrence Michael; and sister, Ester Buntrock.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, Hutchinson, with the Rev. Jeff Slater officiating. Graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday in Fellsburg Cemetery, Fellsburg, Kan., with military honors provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson KS 67501.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary.