Donald M. Humphrey

Memorials may be given to Epworth Childrens Home in Webster Groves or Childrens International Charities, PO Box 419055, Kansas City Missouri 64141-6055. Don Humphrey was well known in the masonry industry for many years as a representative and sales manager of the Hydraulic Press Brick Company. He also represented the F.F. Kirchner Company and upon retiring consulted with and advised many firms on new material handling products in the masonry construction industry. Born in Kansas City Kansas in 1920 he attended junior college and Kansas University prior to volunteering for pilot training when World War II broke out. In the early part of the war he flew unarmed deep range reconnaissance missions versus Japanese forces in the China Burma India Theater of War. Intercepted and shot down over what was then Rangoon, Burma, he was incarcerated in the local jail along with criminals and some British soldiers for a period two years before being recaptured by advancing Allied forces. On being a Japanese prisoner of war his only comment was, “I survived with some dignity despite their best preventive efforts.” Assigned to Scott Field after the war he attained the rank of captain before settling in St. Louis. Don was a former president of the Producers Council, a national association of building prodct manufacturers; an honorary member of the Mason Contractors Association and served on the board of the St. Louis Masonry Institute. He was a member of the Kirkwood United Methodist Church. On his eightieth birthday he parachuted from fourteen thousand fee, free falling nine thousand feet “just for the invigoration of it”, according to one of his daughters. He leaves three daughters; Leslie White (Robert)of O’Fallon Illinois; Lynn Working (Greg)and Robin Frye of St. Peters, Missouri; a brother, W.D. Humphrey of Denver, Colorado; a sister, Edna Barber of Stillwater, Oklahoma; and four grandchildren; Jennifer White, Erin White, Nicolas Magaletta and Daniel Frye. He was formerly married to Virginia Moehlenkamp Humphrey of St. Charles. Preceded in death by parents, Walter and Virgia Humphrey and daughter, Laren.