Donald Wayne "Don" Strawn

Donald Wayne “Don” Strawn, 83, passed away October 1, 2026, at Pleasant View Home of Inman. He was born August 25, 1943, in Rock Island, IL, to Lawrence Oscar and Eva Theresa (Cullen) Strawn.

Don graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1961. In November 1961, he married Diana Jean McVey in Hutchinson. At a young age they immediately started their beautiful family, having four children, three sons and one daughter. The marriage ended after 37 years of marriage. Diana passed away in September 2025. After his divorce, Don was introduced to Sharon Marie Volk whom he married in 1999. Along with his new marriage, Don gained three stepdaughters. Don and Sharon enjoyed 27 years of marriage up until his death, she survives.

After getting married at such a young age, Don worked hard to support his growing family. He worked at Cessna alongside his father Lawrence and his older brother Larry Strawn. After leaving Cessna he went to work for Duckwalls, becoming a manager of the store. He was then approached to manage a new car wash opening on North Main Street in Hutchinson, called Hutch Car Wash. He took that position but during the process decided he wanted to be his own boss. So, from there he took a huge step and ventured out on his own, Don and Diana started their own business and opened Don’s Car Care and Body Shop, Inc. in 1975. They started out as strictly an automotive detail shop but then expanded into auto body repair and soon adding a towing business. Don was very successful in growing his business into the largest family-owned body shop in Hutchinson, Ks. Each of Don’s four children worked at the family business learning the values of hard work and integrity. After 33 years of hard work, Don was able to retire in 2008, leaving his son Mark to run the family business.

Even after his retirement, he really didn’t retire. Don and Sharon started spending their spare time at garage sales and estate sales where they would always find unique trinkets and treasures. Finding himself buying a lot of unique items, (maybe too many) Don decided to start selling these items on Ebay. Little did he know that selling these items would be so successful, he found himself selling and shipping items all over the world. Don was amazed at the success of these sells. He even purchased a huge world map that he framed on his wall and pinpointed every country he shipped too!! No matter what Don did in life, it was always successful!!

Don was a very active man his entire life. He was always involved in a sport or some activity, taking everything he was involved in very seriously. I guess you could say he was a bit competitive.

At an early age he loved to play handball at Shadduck Park and the YMCA. He was also very much involved in softball, both playing and coaching. He spent many nights and weekends for league and tournaments at Carey Park, and of course his family was always in the bleachers cheering him on. Don loved the fact that as his boys grew older, they all played ball together on a team. Don continued his love for softball up until the point when he realized he was not as young as he used to be, so he bowed out gracefully and let his boys handle the sport from there. He still enjoyed the sport for many years, by watching his kids play!!

Around 1976 Don was introduced to a new club in Hutchinson, called “Salt City 4-Wheelers Inc”. This club consisted of many families in town that had a passion for off-roading and mudding in their 4WD trucks and jeeps!! Upon joining this club, little did Don know that this would become an infatuation for his entire family, even to this day!! Don was even voted in as President of the club at one point in time.

Don and his family were also introduced to the Little Sahara State Park in Waynoka Oklahoma, through the Salt City 4-Wheelers. This park consists of 1600 acres of sheer fun on the sand dunes. Don and his family started playing in the sand with the family’s daily driver a full-size Chevy Blazer, but later graduated to Jeeps, Dune Buggies, Three Wheelers and Four-wheel ATV’s!! His kids and grandkids still enjoy those sand dunes to this very day!!

Don’s next hobby consisted of competitive handgun shooting. He was a member of the Central Kansas Gun Club and even held a position on that club’s board. Don of course took his shooting very seriously and traveled to many gun shoots where he would place and bring home trophies. Don would also enjoy many hours in his basement reloading his own ammo. Don also enjoyed weekends of family skeet shoots with his kids and grandkids.

Another passion was his love for snow skiing in Colorado with family and friends, he enjoyed this for many years, creating many memories!!

Not only did he love Colorado for its skiing, but also for off roading in his Jeep!

Don and Sharon also enjoyed working in their yard. Sharing a love of gardening, together they created a beautiful backyard retreat, spending evenings on the patio, enjoying the peaceful results of their work.

Don was a devoted dad, grandpa, great grandpa who cherished time with his grandchildren, especially during sleepovers with grandma and grandpa. A kid at heart, he loved spoiling them when they were young. He treasured trips to Georgia to visit Mike and Nancy and their children. He took great pride in watching his grandchildren grow into loving, responsible adults, starting families of their own and blessing him with many great grandchildren.

In his later years Don wanted to stay physically fit , so he exercised every morning and walked at least one mile every day. His reward for that mile was sitting on his porch swing enjoying an ice-cold bottle of Michelob Amber Bock beer. Even till his final days, he was able to enjoy a daily Amber Bock! Sadly, he was not able to understand a lot while his dementia progressed, but when you said “Beer” he knew exactly what was being said!! I hope they have Amber Bock in heaven for him!

Don is survived by; wife, Sharon Strawn, Kingman; sons, Michael “Mike” (Nancy) Strawn, Roswell, GA and Mark (Kerrie) Strawn, Pretty Prairie; daughter Cristina “Cris” (Joey) Dosch, Hutchinson; daughter-in-law, Kimberly Strawn, South Hutchinson, stepdaughters, Angie (Eric) Herschberger, North Port, Fl; Laura Nelsen, Randolph, Mn; Lisa Appel; Kingman; brother, James “Jim” (Linda) Strawn, Hutchinson; sisters-in-law, Ruby Strawn and Diana Strawn both of Hutchinson.

12 grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way and 10 step great-grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; son, Wayne Strawn; brothers, Lawrence “Larry” and Daniel “Danny” Strawn; and sister and brother-in-law, Joyce (Melvin) Herrell.

Friends may sign the book Monday through Wednesday 8 am – 5 pm. Memorial service is planned for 10:00 am Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Elliott Mortuary Chapel Father Ned J. Blick presiding. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 9 am Thursday, until service time. Following the burial, the family invites friends to join them at Salt City Brewery to celebrate Don’s life and share stories and memories.

Memorials are suggested to Hutchinson Animal Shelter or Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N Main St, Hutchinson, KS 67501.