Donald L. “Don” Butcher, 82, Hays, died Thursday, November 6, 2014 at the Via Christi Villages.

He was born July 13, 1932 in Topeka, Kansas the son of John G. and Nannie Lee (Harris) Butcher.  He graduated from Topeka High School in 1952 and received his BS degree in Geology from Kansas State University.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran stationed in Guam during the Korean War. He was a geologist for the Kansas Corporation Commission until his retirement. He was married to Imogene H. Butcher and later to Linda K. Butcher. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the VFW Post #9076, the Hays American Legion Post #173, the Elks Lodge in Russell, Kansas, and was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

He was a guest speaker of Geology at FHSU, was a loyal KSU football fan, and enjoyed golf, fishing, poker, gunsmithing, gardening, and going to gun shows. For many years he was Santa Claus at The Mall in Hays.

Survivors include one son, Dale Butcher and wife Renne of Amarillo, TX, three daughters Sharon Hamilton and husband Keith of Bellevue, WA, Glenda Tholen and husband Bryan of Hays, and Jamie Malone and husband Jim of Russell, Kansas, step sons Troy Bell and wife Debbie of Windsor, CO, and Jason Bell of Orlando, FL, a sister in law Sylvia Butcher of Newton, KS, and grandchildren Randee Olive and husband Travis, Hannah Hamilton, Harris Hamilton, and Hadley Butcher, four step grandchildren, and three great grandchildren Tristan Olive, Teixeira Olive, and Trexynn Olive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Mark T. Butcher, and a brother Gerald R. Butcher.

Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 10, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church, Hays. Inurnment with military honors by the Hays VFW and American Legion will be in the Mount Allen Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine, and on Monday from 9:30 am until service time at the church.

Memorials are suggested in Don’s memory to the Mark T. Butcher Memorial Scholarship Fund for Geology students at FHSU, Hospice of Hays Medical Center, or to the First United Methodist Church, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com.