Donald M Humphrey

Donald M. Humphrey a masonry industry executive, was well-known in the masonry industry for many years as a representative and sales manager for 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 during 1920, he attended junior college and Kansas University prior to volunteering for pilot training when World War II broke out. He flew unarmed deep range reconnaissance missions versus Japanese forces in the China Burma India Theater of War in the early part of the war. He was intercepted and shot down over what was then Rangoon, Burma, where he was incarcerated in the local jail along with criminals and some British soldiers for a period of 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 setting in St. Louis. Don was a former president of the Producers Council, a national association of building product 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 feet, 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) • Robin Frye of St. Peters, Missouri

Siblings: • W.D. Humphrey of Denver, Colorado • Edna Barber of Stillwater, Oklahoma

And four grandchildren • Jennifer White • Erin White • Nicolas Magaletta • Daniel Frye

He was formerly married to Virginia Moehlenkamp Humphrey of St. Charles. Preceded in death by parents, Walter & Virgina Humphrey & daughter, Laren.

Interment Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.