Donald Lee Rumford, 91, died June 1, 2026, at Presbyterian Manor, Emporia. He was born January 14, 1935, in Strong City, to Laurence and Dora L. (Huff) Rumford. Don enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and retired honorably in 1974. He then went to work for Modine in Emporia. After Modine closed, he went to work in the maintenance department at the hospital until he retired. Don enjoyed building, repairing and tinkering with clocks. He also enjoyed reading and watching westerns.

On April 14, 1979, he married Lori Boyles in Emporia. They shared 47 years of marriage.

Don is survived by: wife Lori, of Emporia; brothers, Laurence Rumford and wife Thelma of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Charles Rumford; nieces and nephews, Neil Rumford (Betsy), Larry Rumford (Mary), Sandy Mabry (Ron); and sister-in-law, Nancy Aldridge (Larry) of Topeka.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Dorothy Mounkes and Darlene Yockey.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, Cottonwood Falls. Full military honors will be conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Private burial will take place in Strong Township Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Hand-in-Hand Hospice, in care of Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home PO Box 220 Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845.