Alumni Obituary – Donald Dean Rounds

Donald Dean Rounds (CC’48) of McPherson, Kansas, died Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at McPherson Hospital at the age of 95.

Donald was born on October 4, 1927, at 703 Walnut, Enid, Oklahoma. He was the first child of Jasper William Rounds and Hazel Marie (Smith) Rounds.

The family moved to Blackwell, Oklahoma when Donald was nine months old.  He attended the first four grades of school at Lincoln.  The family moved to McPherson, Kansas in 1938.  Donald finished the fifth grade at Washington Elementary School and sixth grade at Roosevelt School.  He attended Park Junior High and one year at McPherson High School.  He graduated from Central College Academy in 1945, where he played basketball and softball.  It was at this time, he started using the name Don, much to the displeasure of his father.

World War II was coming to a close so to avoid the draft, Don talked his parents into signing papers so he could enlist in the Navy.  Four weeks into boot camp, Don had the opportunity to transfer to the Seabee Branch of the Navy.  He was stationed on Samara Island in the Philippines for nine months.  He was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Motor Machinist Mate 3^rd Class.

Don completed Associate Degree at Central College in McPherson, Kansas, in 1948.  He played basketball and baseball while in college.

Don married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Alene Meyer.  They were married at Cole Memorial Free Methodist Church in Kansas City, Kansas on July 1, 1947.  The couple was blessed with three sons; Michael Dean, Bradley Kent, and Brett Kelly. Joyce preceded Don in death on July 21, 1987.

Don worked as Assistant County Engineer and retired from National Cooperative Refinery Association as Products Pipeline and Terminal Superintendent, after 30 years of service.  The family moved from McPherson, KS in 1960 for Don’s employment with NCRA.  Don moved back to McPherson in 1990 to be close to his family, church friends, and college friends.

On October 17, 1991, Don was united in marriage to Neva F. (Duncan) McCormick, in McPherson, Kansas.  They enjoyed married life together for 23 years.  She preceded him in death on April 6, 2014.

He is survived by his son, Kelly (Linda) Rounds of McPherson, KS; four grandchildren, Wayne (Brittany) Rounds, Kenny (Stacey) Rounds, Lacee Green, and Kim Robinson; two step-grandchildren, Christy (Erik) Velazquez and Cameron (Carol) Crick; seven great-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, a brother, Bob Rounds, two sisters, Elsie Landess and Wanda Wash; two sons, Michael Dean Rounds and Bradley Kent Rounds.

The family received friends from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Sunday, November 13, 2022, at Stockham Family Funeral Home.  The funeral service was held at 10:30 AM, Monday, November 14, at McPherson Free Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Griffith officiating.  Burial with Military Honors followed at McPherson Cemetery.  To view the recording of the service, please click on the following link: https://macfmc.org/media/nq88pnd/donald-d-rounds-funeral

Memorial donations may be given to the Donald & Joyce Rounds Scholarship Fund at Central College in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.

ABOUT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS

Central Christian College of Kansas is a regionally accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Central strives to offer Christ-centered education for the whole person – heart, mind, soul, and strength. Its history dates back to 1884, and it is located in the friendly town of McPherson, Kansas. Central is a strategically small college that offers over forty areas of residential study and a thriving online program for non-traditional students. To learn more about Central go to centralchristian.edu/about. Visit the Foundation of Central Christian College to see what projects and events are coming up.