Donald Eugene Sallee

Ava, Missouri

Donald Eugene Sallee, 88 years, 10 months, 5 days old, passed away on September 17, 2017 at his home with his loving wife, Mary Lou, by his side.

Don was born November 12, 1928 in Springfield, MO to Joseph Everett and Tessie Azalia (Piland) Sallee and grew up in Ava, MO.

On September 28, 1956, Don and Mary Lou Meir were united in marriage in Springfield, MO and to this union they were blessed with two children, Donald Skip and Anne.

Don graduated from Ava High School in 1946. He was Ava's first All State Athlete and received a basketball scholarship to the University of Missouri,Columbia, where he received his B.S. Degree in Education. He got his Masters in Education Administration at Drury College in Springfield, MO.

He is an Army Veteran and served in the Counter Intelligence Corps. during the Korean War.

Don was a High School Coach, Teacher, and Owner and Manager of Sallee Motor Co. in Ava. Don's passion was Coaching. He began his coaching career in 1952 in Lebanon, MO. He coached basketball and baseball at Ava High School for over 15 years. For the past several years, he had been coaching as a volunteer for Victory Academy in Seymour, MO.

Don loved and was committed to his hometown of Ava. He served as President of the Ava Park Board, City Councilman, Mayor, and was currently serving as President of the Board of Ava Industrial Development Corp. Don was a lifetime member of the Ava United Methodist Church.

Don's joy was being with the love of his life, Mary Lou, and spending time with his children and grandchildren!

Don was preceded in death by his parents. Don is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, of the home, son, Dr. Donald Skip Sallee, St. Louis, MO, daughter, Anne Sallee Mason and husband, Scott, Springfield, MO, three grandchildren, Evan Mason, Eliza and Donald Liam Sallee, one sister, Wanda Carras, Springfield, MO, sister-in-law, Becky Frazier and husband, Larry, Overland Park, KS, nieces, and many friends.

Funeral services for Don will be Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Ava United Methodist Church with burial following in the Ava Cemetery with military honors by Troy Herd American Post 112 and U.S. Army. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 20 ^th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Ava High School Gymnasium, Ava, MO. Officiating will be Pastor Oren Alcorn. Memorials may be made to the Don and Mary Lou Sallee Scholarship Fund, c/o Town and Country Bank, P.O. Box 807, Ava, MO 65608. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO.