02/26/2017
Rest In Peace Dr. O
Dr. Donald Stewart Overend, M.D., 89, departed this life peacefully on Saturday, February 11, 2017.
He was born an only child to Pearl and Harrison Overend, on April 28, 1927 in Wichita, KS. He graduated from Wichita East High School at the age of 15 years old and started college at Wichita State University. He left college to enlist in the U.S. Navy in September, 1944, when he was 17 years old. He was one of two corpsmen to enter Nagasaki, Japan within the first days after the atomic bomb was dropped there. Besides treating Marines, he helped at the Japanese hospital with flash burns and the effects of the devastation for seven months. After his discharge in August, 1946, he returned to Wichita State University, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology. He received his Master of Arts in Zoology and his medical degree from the University of Kansas. Don reenlisted in the Navy during the Korean War, serving an internship at the naval hospital in San Diego.
During this time, Don married Patricia Ann Weaver and unto this union, a daughter, Jan, was born.
Don moved to Springfield in 1957 and established the Pediatric Department of Smith-Glynn-Callaway Clinic, where he cared for a large percentage of the children in the community during his 49 years of practice. He was also Medical Director of the Regional Diagnostic Center, later known as Developmental Center Of The Ozarks. His patients and their families meant the world to him. Don also started the Travel Medicine department at Smith-Glynn-Callaway Clinic, drawing from his extensive knowledge and love of medicine and travel. He was the past President of the Missouri Academy of Pediatrics, the American Board of Pediatrics and was the Medical News Reporter at KSPR Television. Don was a regular contributor to the Springfield Business Journal, Springfield Medical Journal and the Springfield Newspaper. After his retirement, he began his second career as as a Certified Travel Counselor at The Travel Group. Combining the things he loved, working with his wife, Linda and traveling. He was an IT guru and kept the computers spinning like a top.
Don loved Springfield and along with his passion for the Arts, dedicated his free time to his community. He was President and on the Board of the Springfield Symphony, President and on the Board of Friends of the Springfield Art Museum. Springfield Area Arts Council, serving time as Vice-President. Advisory Board of Juanita K. Hammons Performing Arts Center, Life Member of Springfield Little Theatre, Member of SMSU Founders Club and a founding member of Firefall and a lifelong member of Hickory Hills Country Club.
A devout Christian, Don was a founding member of St. James Episcopal Church, where he served in many capacities. Later, Don and Linda were one of the founding members and benefactors of All Saints Anglican Church, where they loved their church family and Linda still attends.
One of Don's biggest loves, was his time spent with Caduceus, The Doctor's Band, of which he was a founding member. He loved making his saxophone sing and the camaraderie with his bandmates, friends & colleagues. They will be remembered as treasured friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Pearl and Harrison Overend. Linda's parents, Helen and Herbert W. Masters, her brother, Herbert W. (Butch) Masters, Jr., and great-grandsons, Daniel and Oliver Dawson.
In 1964 Don married Linda Sue Masters and they celebrated 52 wonderful years of marriage and she survives at their home in Springfield. They spent many wonderful fall's and summer's at their cabin in Cuchara, Colorado, where Don showed his skill and love of flying his plane by bringing his mother, Linda's parents, kids and friends to enjoy "God's Country." Their winter's were spent at their condominium, where Don showed his athletic skill by being on the Doctor's Ski Patrol at Copper Mountain. Their time traveling the world was cherished and Don's "bucket list" of places to see was foremost. Their family and friends were blessed to spend time with them on these journeys.
Don is survived by his beloved wife, Linda, of the home. Children, Jan Davis (Dexter); Julie Overend Dawson (Bill); Chuck Overend; Becky Overend; nine grandchildren, Joel Davis (Allison); Heather Davis Davies (Ryan); Robert Dawson; Michael Dawson (Cassie); Jay Dawson (Tiffany); Becky Dawson Lindberg (Bill), Jessica Overend Snider (Sam), Alex Overend and Max Overend. Eight great-grandchildren, Audrey Davis, Alex and Savannah Dawson, Will Dawson and Lucy, Thomas, Andrew and Luke Davies. Don cherished his entire family and took special joy in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's accomplishments and time spent with them.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to PAWS Pet Pantry, c/o Community Foundation of the Ozarks, 425 East Trafficway Street, Springfield, MO 65806; All Saints Anglican Church, 2751 East Galloway Street, Springfield, MO 65804; Springfield Symphony, 411 North Sherman Parkway, Springfield, MO 65802; Dr. Don & Linda Overend Jazz Saxophone Scholarship, Missouri State University, 300 South Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO 65806; Dr. Don & Linda Overend Jazz Saxophone Scholarship, Drury University, 900 North Benton Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at All Saints Anglican Church, 2751 East Galloway Street, Springfield. The Service will be held at 11:30 a.m., under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, with private interment immediately following. A Celebration of his life will be held at Hickory Hills Country Club at 1:00 p.m. for all family and friends.
The family would like to thank Dr. Teresa Olsen, M.D. for her compassionate care and friendship.
Published in the News-Leader from Feb. 19 to Feb. 24, 2017
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/news-leader/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=184159918 .KadKzQmU.dpuf
Trying to organize a proper history for KSPR-TV Springfield, MO
