Donald Ray Gorton

Donald Ray Gorton, age 82, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Tuesday, November 22, 2011. He was born on Tuesday, April 23, 1929, in Ottawa, Kansas, the son of Raymond Glen and Hazel Edith (Burnett) Gorton. Don was a lifelong Ottawa resident. Don graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1948. He was a self-employed carpenter for forty-two years. He ran a building crew for many years and later worked with his son from 1972 to 1996. From the mid 1990’s to 2010, he was the head maintenance man at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In the earlier years, he worked for Sunrise Dairy in Ottawa and Sunflower Ordinance Plant in DeSoto, Kansas. He built many homes in the Ottawa, Garnett and Greeley areas. Don served from January 8, 1951, until December 24, 1952, in Co C 102nd Inf Regt 43rd Div of the United States Army attaining the rank of Private First Class. He was awarded the Army Occupation Medal (Germany) and the Expert Inf Badge. He was an active Army reserve from 1952 to 1957, obtaining the rank of Corporal. Don was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church; Williamsburg-Ottawa Wildlife Conservation Club; and life member of the National Rifle Association, North American Hunting Club, and Kansas Rifle Association. On June 16, 1956, Don was united in marriage with Carol Lee McMillen in Ottawa, Kansas. She survives of their home. He is survived by his: Wife-Carol Lee Gorton of their home Son-Barry Lee Gorton of Ottawa, Kansas Daughter-Debra Ray “Debbie” Gorton-Swisher and her husband, Kevin, of Lawrence, Kansas Brother-Garry Gorton and his wife, LaWanda, of Ottawa, Kansas Brother-Rex Porter and his wife, Dollie, of Torrance, California Brother-Jack Porter and his wife, Nedra, of Ottawa, Kansas Brother-Steven Porter and his wife, Janet, of Leawood, Kansas Sister-Shirley Hansen and her husband, Kelvin, of Tuttle, Oklahoma Sister-Patty Wait and her husband, George, of Muskogee, Oklahoma He was preceded in death by his: Father-Raymond Glen Gorton Mother-Hazel Edith Gorton-Porter Stepfather-Kenneth Porter SERVICES: Funeral Services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 401 W. 13th, in Ottawa, at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 28, 2011. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Gorton at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, where the family will meet with friends from 6:00 to 7:00 Sunday evening. His casket will remain closed. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.