Donald K. Whitecotton, 91, of Frankfort passed away Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
Don was born Nov. 18, 1933, in Crawfordsville, to Fred. H. and Velma (Moody) Whitecotton. He married Edna M. Coleman in Hawaii on Sept. 29, 1955. They would have been married 70 years this year.
Mr. Whitecotton graduated from Waveland High School in 1951. Don served in the Navy from 1953-1957 and returned to join his father in the Whitecotton and Sons, John Deere implement business. He remained in that business until 1968. During that time he served four years as the Brown Township Trustee and was appointed to the first school board of the South Montgomery School Corporation.
In 1966, Don enrolled at Indiana State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education. In 1970 he was appointed principal of Laura G. Hose Elementary School and remained in that position for the next 10 years. During that 10-year period he served a four-year term on the Crawfordsville City Council. In 1978 Don earned his superintendent’s license and was appointed as the superintendent of the Shoals Community School Corporation in 1980.
In 1983 he became the superintendent of the Attica Community School Corporation and remained there until 1987 when he returned to Crawfordsville to become principal of Mollie B. Hoover Elementary School. In 1990 he was appointed assistant superintendent of the Crawfordsville Community Schools. In 1995 he was appointed as the superintendent of the Crawfordsville Schools until his retirement that same year.
He is survived by his wife Edna, and son Don Michael Whitecotton of Kansas City, Missouri.
He is preceded in death by son Bryce Harold Whitecotton, who passed away in October 2023; his parents; brother Ted Harold; and two daughters-in-law.
Don has two living sisters, Joyce (Wayne) Surface from Brooklyn, Indiana, and Joan (Glenn) Livesay from Lake Holiday. Don had four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Don was a member of Woodland Heights Church in Crawfordsville.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Don to whomever you choose.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 1 at Hunt and Son Funeral Home in Crawfordsville, with the Rev. Steve Wilke officiating.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.huntandson.com.