Donald A. Bafus
WICHITA - Donald A. Bafus,
70, died Saturday (Jan. 14, 2006) at Via Christi - St. Francis Regional Medical
in Wichita. He was born April 9, 1935, to William H. Dorothy (Gaiser) Bafus in
Newton. They preceded him in death. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Catholic Church in Newton. Don left his mark on Newton High School athletics in
the early 1950s. This was evidenced by his selection as a charter inductee to
the school's Athletic Hall of Fame. He received all Ark-Valley, All-State and
All American honorable mention honors as a player on Newton's first ever Ark
Valley football championship team coached by Curtis Fisher in the 1952 season.
He received all Ark-Valley and All-State honors playing for Coach John
Ravenscroft's 1952-1953 basketball team. He finished his high school career in
1953 with all Ark Valley and All-State honors in baseball. Don earned his
letter in four sports during his high school career. Following graduation, he
played professional baseball for the Chicago White Sox and Brooklyn Dodger
organizations. He earned a B.S. degree in chemistry from Kansas State University
and a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of Illinois
Champagne-Urbana. Don worked for many companies and organizations throughout
his career including NASA.
Survivors include: a brother,
Gary Bafus of Blue Springs, Mo.; a daughter, Marie Bafus of California; and a
nephew, Michael Bafus of Blue Springs, Mo.
Visitation will be from 9
a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton.
Recitation of the rosary will
be 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Funeral service will be 10
a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Floyd McKinney officiating.
Memorials have been
established with Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Newton.
