Donald Bruce Sooby, 77, died Tuesday (May 17, 2022) at his
home in Newton.
He was born on January 7, 1945 in Wichita, Kansas. Don was
raised in Venezuela where his father, Clayton Henry Sooby, worked in the oil
fields. Don?s mother, Neva Irene Porter Sooby, died in 1959. His father later
married Nettie Elizabeth Lofton. The family returned to Newton where Don
graduated from Newton High School in 1962.
Shortly after graduation, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy
during the Viet Nam Conflict. He was station aboard the USS Kitty Hawk until
being discharged in 1966.
Don had two children from a previous marriage Todd Wayne and
Kristal Lea. He later married Carol Nadine Schmidt in 1975 at the Hillcrest
Community Church Foursquare Church in Newton. Joining Don?s children in the new
family were Carol?s children, Kim, Allan, Lynette and Jeffery.
Don and Carol lived in Great Falls, Montana until returning
to Newton in 1983. Don went to work for the Kansas Highway Patrol and was a
Motor Vehicle Inspector.
He was a member of Hillcrest Community Church in Newton and
the American Legion
Survivors include his daughter Kris Brecheisen and husband
Tim of Amarillo, Texas; sister Judy Gronau and husband Cline of Newton; 14
grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
Don is also survived by Carol?s children, Allan Ray Schmidt
and his wife Julie of Paola, Ks., Lynette Kay Hjuleberg and husband Nathan of
Anoka, Mn.
He is preceded in death by his parents; step-mother Nettie
Elizabeth Sooby; son Todd on May 17, 2022 in Wichita; sisters Beverly Ralph and
Kay Stevens; and two of Carol?s children Kim Lee Schmidt and Jeffery Linn
Schmidt.
The casket will be open at the funeral home on Tuesday (May
24, 2022) between 1:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
Funeral services will held at 4:00 P.M., Wednesday (May
25th) at the Broadway Colonial Funeral Home. Private burial will be in the
Walton Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton,
Ks.
