Donald Bruce Sooby, 77, died Tuesday (May 17, 2022) at his home in Newton.

He was born on January 7, 1945 in Newton, Kansas. Don was raised in Venezuela where his father, Clayton Henry Sooby, worked in the oil fields. Don’s mother, Neva Irene Porter Sooby, died in 1959. His father later married Nettie Elizabeth Lofton. The family returned to Newton where Don graduated from Newton High School in 1962.

Shortly after graduation, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam Conflict. He was station aboard the USS Kitty Hawk until being discharged in 1966.

Don had two children from a previous marriage Todd Wayne and Kristal Lea. He later married Carol Nadine Schmidt in 1975 at the Hillcrest Community Church Foursquare Church in Newton. Joining Don’s children in the new family were Carol’s children, Kim, Allan, Lynette and Jeffery.

Don and Carol lived in Great Falls, Montana until returning to Newton in 1983. Don went to work for the Kansas Highway Patrol and was a Dispatcher.

He was a member of Hillcrest Community Church in Newton and the American Legion

Survivors include his daughter Kris Brecheisen and husband Tim of Amarillo, Texas; sister Judy Gronau and husband Cline of Newton; 14 grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Don is also survived by Carol’s children, Allan Ray Schmidt and his wife Julie of Paola, Ks., Lynette Kay Hjuleberg and husband Nathan of Anoka, Mn.

He is preceded in death by his parents; step-mother Nettie Elizabeth Sooby; son Todd on May 17, 2022 in Wichita; sisters Beverly Ralph and Kay Stevens; and two of Carol’s children Kim Lee Schmidt and Jeffery Linn Schmidt.