Donald E. Hamman

Donald 'Don' Eugene Hamman, of Vassar, KS passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS. He had just celebrated his 91st birthday.

Don was born on April 15, 1935, to Homer and Marjorie (Garrett) Hamman at their home in Hartford, Kansas. Their family later moved to a farm in rural Lebo, Kansas. As a young boy, Don attended school at Key West, a rural one room schoolhouse. He would ride his horse to a neighbor’s barn to meet the school bus. He later attended Lebo High School, graduating in May 1953. After graduation, Don worked for Bill Calvert who had a farm east of his parents, where he assisted with farm work and milking the cows. He also worked on the George Evans farm before enlisting in the United States Air Force in January 1954. Don was awarded two medals of honor during active duty. Don received honorable discharge in January 1962 for his years of service.

Don would meet his future wife after his return to Lebo. On January 28, 1966, Don was united in marriage to Carolyn Davies. They celebrated 60 years together earlier this year.

Don had a long career with the Atchison-Topeka-Santa Fe Railroad, which is currently Burlington-Northern-Santa Fe. He began his career with Santa Fe as a telegraph operator and worked in several depots, including the Osage City train depot. He advanced to dispatcher at the Emporia train depot, later serving as Chief Dispatcher. During these years, Don and Carolyn made their home in Lebo, KS, where they raised their three children. They moved to the Kansas City area, taking their son who was in grade school at the time, when he was promoted to Supervisor of Train Operations for BNSF. Don later retired from Santa Fe several years after his appointment to the main BNSF office in Chicago. Don and Carolyn retuned to Kansas after his retirement and built a home in Vassar, KS.

Don truly enjoyed staying busy and started a business mowing lawns, something he always enjoyed doing. He loved country music, whether it was live at the Music Box in Burlington, going to shows in Branson, MO, or just listening to the radio. If he wasn't listening to music, he was usually catching a Royals Baseball, Chiefs Football, or KU Jayhawk sports broadcast. Don also enjoyed traveling, taking several trips with Carolyn to Hawaii and countless road trips with the whole family. Even though he never swam, Don also enjoyed being out on the lake, helming the boat for family and friends in his signature "boat look": jeans and a white t-shirt.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Marjorie Hamman.

Don is survived by his wife, Carolyn Hamman of Vassar, KS; their children, Pamela Combes (Justin) of Lebo, Susan Zentz (Vince) of Burlington, and Dennis Hamman (Rebecca) of Milton, WI, brothers, Harlan Hamman (Reta) and Bob Hamman (Priscilla); and sister, Cathryn Thompson. He is also survived by grandchildren, Nichole Taylor (Joshua), Nathaniel Combes (Joy), Jordon Combes, Alexis Renfro (Caleb), Nicholas Streeter (Courtney), Riley Zentz, Stacey Foreman (Cody), Emily Hamman, Abigayle Hamman, and Kailey Hamman, and 12 great-grandchildren, Derrick Taylor, Noelle Taylor, Jayden Taylor,Elowyn Taylor, Lily Combes, Jonah Combes, Lyra Combes, Ava Baker, Jade Streeter, Hanes Streeter, Violet Streeter, and Carson Foreman.

A visitation will be held Wednesday evening, April 29th, 2026, from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home & Crematory, 107 W 6th, Lebo, KS. Funeral Services will follow on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 10:30 AM. Burial to follow at Lincoln Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to; Friends of Pomona State Park, Veteran’s Hospital in Topeka, KS, or to Power of the Past Antique Engine & Tractor Association, sent c/o Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home & Crematory, PO Box 43, Lebo, KS 6685