Donald Gene Abitz's Obituary
Donald Gene Abitz passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024, at the age of 80.
Don was born on July 20, 1944, to Emil Frank Abitz and Laura Elizabeth Hetzler Abitz in the Seneca, Kansas hospital. Seneca was the closest hospital to his hometown of Onaga, Kansas.
Don attended Onaga Grade School and was graduated from Onaga High School in 1962. He received a BA in Mathematics from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, and later earned his Certified Public Accounting certificate in Kansas in 1991. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Don served in the Kansas National Guard for 5 years (1966-1971), two of which were on active duty during the Vietnam War.
Don retired in July 2009, from Hilton Hotels Corporation where he held positions in financial management. He then consulted for Hilton from 2010 to 2013. Don worked at Promus Hotels, DoubleTree Hotels, American General Hospitality, Swancourt Hotel, Landmark Hotel Corporation, and Brock Hotel Corporation before he concluded his career at Hilton.
Don was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Memphis. He was a kind and generous man. He was almost always in a good mood with a positive outlook – even when battling cancer from 2022. His love of life was contagious to all around him. Don loved all things “cars” including car shows, near and far. Quite frankly, he even enjoyed walking through dealership car lots. He helped everyone in his Memphis family either buy, repair, or polish their cars. Don loved all things ice cream and offered a variety of selections when the Sunday family dinner was at the Abitz home. Don loved watching sci fi movies on his large screen TV. He recommended that his father-in-law and sister-in-law follow him in his love of large screen TVs, without much success.
He is survived by his wife Lisa Francisco Abitz of Memphis, his sister Verda Mae Abitz Brunkow (Almon) of Lenexa, Kansas, sisters-in-law Susan Francisco and Tabitha Francisco McNabb (Monte) and step son by a previous marriage, Bryce Renfro. He was very fond of his nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews. There are too many dear friends to name.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, sister Dorene Elaine Abitz Wege and her husband Orville Willard Wege, his nephew Gary Dennis Wege and niece Laurel Diane Wege Rollenhagen.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 12 and a Memorial Service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024, both at Memorial Park Funeral Home at 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to the charity of your choice or to West Cancer Foundation (P.O Box 382638, Germantown, TN 38138) or Immanuel Lutheran Church of Memphis (6325 Raleigh Lagrange Rd, Memphis, TN 38134).
A Kansas celebration of life will include an interment and graveside service on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 11 a.m. in the Onaga Cemetery at 23095 Golden Belt Road, Onaga, KS 66521.
After the graveside service, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Ladies’ Aid Society will provide lunch at 21185 Duluth Road, Duluth, Kansas 66521. The church is 10 minutes from the cemetery.
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