Donald D. Thorp

KISMET – Donald D Thorp, blessed with a full life of 95 years, passed away Thursday evening, March 23, 2023, surrounded by his family at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas.

He was born December 14, 1927, at Enid, Oklahoma, the son of Harry and Elda (Welch) Thorp. As a young boy he attended school in rural Oklahoma. At the age of seventeen, he joined the United States Navy serving during World War II and the Korean Conflict. After his discharge, he attended Wichita University, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts Education. In 1958, he moved to rural Kismet, Kansas, where he taught high school until 1963. He then began his career as a farmer and rancher.

He was a member of the Plains Friends Church, serving in many different church offices over the years, served on the USD 483 school board, the Plains Equity Exchange board of directors, and the Seward County Conservation board. He enjoyed telling stories of life events, Sunday dinners including homemade ice cream followed by a Sunday drive, watching old western movies, watching college football and basketball, and spending time with his family and friends.

On December 2, 1949, he married Donna Pope at the Friends University Chapel, Wichita, Kansas. She survives.

Other survivors include three sons, Raymond Thorp of Wichita, Gary Thorp and wife Brenda of Alvaton, Kentucky, and Randall Thorp and wife Donna of rural Kismet; a daughter, Carolyn Quillin and husband Dave of South Haven, Kansas; two sisters, Monita Lank of Westchester, Pennsylvania, and Wilma Monical of Wichita, Kansas; ten grandchildren, Jeff Quillin, Travis Quillin, Daneil Hampton, Ashley Kling, Lauren Thorp, Steven McKinney, Chad McKinney, Ryan McKinney, Tucker Thorp, and Garrett Thorp; eighteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Darrel Thorp; a sister, Jenny Calhoun; and a grandson, Jordan Thorp.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the Plains Friends Church. Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday with the family present from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Interment will follow the service in the Plains Cemetery.

The family would welcome memorials to the Plains Friends Church, Young at Heart Senior Center, or the Crossroads Therapeutic Riding Center, in care of the funeral home.

Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary in in charge of the arrangements.