Richard Datson

Richard G. Datson, 96, Coffeyville, Kansas passed away on Friday, December 29, 2017 at Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Funeral services for Mr. Datson will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 5, 2017 at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel with burial to follow in Robbins Cemetery. Friends may register on from 12:00 Noon to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 4, 2017 with the family receiving guest from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorials in honor of Mr. Datson may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children and may be left with the chapel.

Mr. Datson was born February 25, 1921 in Concord, New Hampshire to Gordon and Laura May (McNutt) Datson. He grew-up in Concord and attended the Concord High School and University of New Hampshire in Durham.

In 1938 he was employed by the New Hampshire Highway Department. From 1942 until 1945 he served in the United States Army Air Corps where he was assigned to the 617th AAF Band, playing in both the marching and dance band. He was stationed in San Antonio, Texas; Muskogee Oklahoma; and in November 1942 in Coffeyville, Kansas. The 617th disbanded in January 1945 and Mr. Datson was discharged at Rome, New York in December that same year.

On June 18, 1944 he married Ann Fitzsimmons at the Coffeyville Air Base Chapel. Following his discharge they made their home in Coffeyville where Mr. Datson worked at Ludowici Celadon handing time studies and payroll until the plant closed in 1958. For five years he was employed at Parmac as an engineer clerk. In November 1963 he began employment with Farmland Industries as an engineer technician. He retired in May 1985.

During his work career Mr. Datson continued his music by playing with Avie Schleicher, Harold Burris and Ye Ole Dance Band; and Coffeyville and Independence city bands.

He was a member of the First Christian Church, American Legion, Post #20, and Masonic Lodge No. 102 all of Coffeyville, the Fort Scott Consistory, Mirza Shrine Temple of Pittsburg, and the Southeast Kansas Hillbilly Unit of Mirza Temple.

Mr. Datson was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Ann, one great-grandson Dalton Owens. Survivors include two sons, Steven C. and wife Connie Datson, Coffeyville, Kansas; Timothy L. Datson, Coffeyville, Kansas; one sister, Janet Datson, Boston, Massachusetts; four grandchildren, Tamecca Datson-York, Tiffany and husband Roy Thompson, Carmen Datson and Chuck Datson. three great grandchildren, Skyler, Jenna, and Danielle Thompson and one great-granddaughter Phobe Gregg and one expected great-great-grandson. To leave a special message for the family please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com.

Visitation

Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel
2405 Woodland Ave
Coffeyville, KS  67337
Thursday, January 4, 2018
5 to 7 pm

Service

Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel
2405 Woodland Ave
Coffeyville, KS  67337
Friday, January 5, 2018
10:00 am

Cemetery

Robbins Cemetery
West of Coffeyville off Hwy 166
Coffeyville, KS  67337

Memorial Contributions

Shriners Hospital for Children
Attn: Office of Development 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr.
Tampa, FL  33607