Donald "Don" Edward Pavey, 96, of Olathe, KS and Minneapolis, MN passed away peacefully on March 13, 2018 as a result of a life well lived. Don was born on December 13, 1921 in Minneapolis, MN to George and Lillian (Butler) Pavey. After graduating from North High School, Don started working at Coast-to-Coast Hardware Stores. On May 16, 1942 he married the love of his life, Lorraine, in Minneapolis, MN where they raised three children. In July of 1942 he volunteered to serve his country during WWII. He joined the US Coast Guard/Navy. Don was assigned to a destroyer escort (DE 385), a small, fast ship designed to protect large cargo ships from German submarines on their way to supply troops in Europe and Japan. After the war he worked for Coast-to-Coast for his entire 43 year career.

Don had a great sense of humor, loved being with friends, playing and watching sports, fishing, boating, meticulously caring for his lawn and keeping his car spotless. He also loved playing with and seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a man of complete integrity and strong faith, who tirelessly donated time to his church, Mt. Olive Lutheran, of which he was a charter member.

Don is survived by his wife Lorraine (Gigley) Pavey, with whom he celebrated a 75th Wedding Anniversary in 2017. He is also survived by his children Tom (Susan) Pavey, Dona (John) Collar and Debbie (Mike) Peters; 7 adoring grandchildren, Scott, Melissa, Emily, Amy, Tim, Justin and Stephen; 9 wonderful great-grandchildren; and sister Joan (Kenny) Herman. Don is preceded in death by his sister Shirley Pavey and brother George Pavey.

A celebration of life will be held for Don on Monday, March 19, at Mt. Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church in Overland Park, KS. Visitation will be at 2 PM with service to follow at 3 PM. Burial will be Tuesday, March 20, at 10 AM at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, KS. The family extends deep gratitude to all the wonderful care givers at Cedar Lake Village. We also want to thank Hospice Services of Olathe Medical Center for their caring support. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Wounded Warriors Family Support (http://www.wwfs.org/) in Omaha, NE or Destroyer Escort Historical Museum (https://www.ussslater.org/) in Albany, NY.





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