Donald Jay Culley

Donald J. Culley, 85, of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. He was born on May 24, 1924 in Lexington, MO, the son of Charles and Elizabeth M. Parks Culley. After graduating from high school in Lexington, Don served as a Corporal in the Marine Corps during WWII. He obtained a Bachelors Degree in Biology and a Masters of Education from Central Missouri College in Warrensburg, MO and was working towards a Specialists Degree in Education at Emporia State University. After graduating from CMSC, he taught Biology and was the principal at Unity School in Lees Summit, MO before moving to Topeka in 1952. He was employed as a teacher and principal for U.S.D. 501 for 38 years before retiring in 1987. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon, the Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity, the Topeka Teachers Association, the National Education Association, the Downtown Kiwanis Club and the First Marine Division Association. Don married Jacqueline Jo Hughes on April 1, 1951 in Braymer, MO. She survives. Other survivors include their children, Jayne Hood of Tulsa, OK, Patrick J. (Suzanne) Culley of Stevenson's Ranch, CA, Jon B. Culley of Hutchinson, KS, Matthew A. Culley of Garden Grove, CA, five grandchildren, Kelsey, Sarah, Daniel, Kristen, Bryce, three great-grandchildren, Keegan, Vann, Kaylan and his siblings, Betty (I.D.) Lewis of Nevada, MO, James D. (Bonnie) Culley of Jefferson City, MO, Richard Stone of Higginsville, MO, and George (Cathy) Stone of Tucson, AZ. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Don will lie in state after 1:00 p.m. Sunday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606 or to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1275 SW Boswell Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.