Lawrence’s Obituary Dodge City – Lawrence “Buss” Imel, 87, died January 1, 2019 at Via Christi St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita. He was born on February 12, 1931 at Dodge City, Kansas the son of LaRoy A. “Roy” and Hazel D. (Bonsall) Imel. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March 1950 and served during the Korean conflict on the minesweeper, U.S.S Doyle, DMS-34.
He earned the rank of Boatswain Mate 2nd Class. His favorite Navy story included meeting the cast and crew of the movie “The Caine Mutiny”, which was filmed aboard the Doyle, His naval career ended in March 1954 with an honorable discharge. He married Donna B. Meyers on October 1, 1955 in Dodge City, she survives.
Mr. Imel owned and operated the Toot-n-Tellum Drive In from 1959 to 1962. He later drove a delivery truck for Fairmont Dairy, Kitty Clover Potato Chips and worked nine years at Carlson Paint Store. He was a self employed contractor before taking a position with the City of Dodge City as their Construction Foreman; retiring after eleven years in 1996.
After his retirement he took a job as the “tool guy” at Waters True Value in Dodge City. He was also a accomplished auto body man and painted cars as a hobby. Mr. Imel was a family man and loved spending time with his kids and grandchildren and was an avid fisherman, skilled carpenter, master baker and candy maker.
He enjoyed sharing those loves with his grandchildren, spending many hours helping them with their Cub Scout and 4-H projects. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, St. Bernard Lodge #222 AF&AM, and past member of Howard Gotschall V.F.W. Post #1714 all of Dodge City. He is survived by his wife Donna of the home, one daughter Jana Ross and husband Kent of Dodge City; one son Kent Imel and wife Barbara of Colorado Springs, Colorado, six grandchildren Haley Ashcroft and husband Brian of Pflugerville, Texas; Casey Ross of Chicago, Illinois; Alec Ross and wife Melanie of Austin, Texas; Bobbie Jo Jordan of Arkansas; Kimberly Baulete of Japan; Natasha of Medford, Oregon; four great grandchildren, one step granddaughter, three step great grandchildren, one step great great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Hazel Imel, parents -in-law Bill and Leah Meyers and one sister and brother-in-law Eunice and Ralph Walker. Memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Friday January 18, 2019 at 10:00 AM with Rev. Jerre Nolte presiding.
Inurnment will follow at Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery in Ft. Dodge with full military honors by Howard Gotschall VFW Post #1714 and the Navy Honors Program. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.
Memorials are suggested to Howard Gotschall VFW Post #1714 or the Ford County Humane Society in care of the funeral home.
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