Don Betts

Don B. Betts, 86, of Atlantic, Iowa formerly of Adair, passed away Thursday, September 18, 2008, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital following a brief illness.

He was born on June 29, 1922, in Casey, Iowa, to Albert Henry and Stella Mae (Tomlinson) Betts. Don grew up on the farm in Casey and graduated from Casey High School. Following graduation he served in the United States Navy during World War II.

On June 7, 1943, he married Darlene Fairfield in Chicago, Illinois. They made their home in Adair until moving to Atlantic in October of 2007. Don and Darlene celebrated 65 years together this past June.

Don and his good friend, Darwynn Beer, pooled their talents, visions, a few tools, and a lot of hard work to form Betts and Beer Construction Company in 1948. Years of building high quality structures resulted in a successful and well-known company that is held in high regard throughout the construction industry. He retired in 1980 and went on to enjoy a happy, active retirement as he and Darlene divided their time between Iowa and Texas. One of Don's last joyful events was to attend the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the company he helped build which was held on Friday, September 12, 2008.

Don was very active in the Adair Community and was chosen as Citizen of the Year in 1969. He belonged to the Adair Commercial Club, Adair Development Corporation, and was a member of the Adair City Council. Don was a longtime member of the Adair United Methodist Church and recently served as trustee. He volunteered at the Valley Baptist Medical Center for 20 years in Harlingen, Texas.

He loved to fish, play cards, watch Chicago Cubs baseball, travel, and entertain family and friends. Don's children and grandchildren will always remember the years of fishing, swimming, water skiing and tubing at Lake Panorama. Don and Darlene hosted numerous memorable reunions and get-togethers for their many friends and relatives from Iowa, Texas, and several other states.

Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, Darlene; his daughters, his daughters, Darla (John) Martin of Adair, Iowa, Patti (Duane) Avey of Sun City, Arizona, Vicki (Alan) Taylor of Rocklin, California, and Teresa (Slugger) Noland of Adair, Iowa; his grandchildren, Joey Avey, Eric Martin and his wife, Andrea, Matt Avey and his wife, Lisa, Mike Noland and his wife Aimee, Jason Martin, Danny Avey and his wife, Crystal, Cristi Dawson and her husband, Dick, Heather Moss and her husband, Mike, and Niki Dawson and her husband, Devon; 15 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Betty Betts of Guthrie Center, Iowa, Helen Taylor of Gilbertsville, Kentucky, Carolyn Fairfield of Adair, Iowa, and Kathryn Fairfield of Marriottsville, Maryland; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Dean and Marion Betts; and great-granddaughter, Jade Sierra Moss.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, September 21, 2008, at the Adair United Methodist Church in Adair, Iowa, with Reverends Lynn Gardner and Jane Shepherd officiating. A time for lunch and memories will follow the funeral service at the Adair Community Centre.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the family present to greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, September 20, 2008, at the Hockenberry Funeral Home in Adair, Iowa.