Donald Kissell

Donald Ambrose Kissell, 87 years old, died at home in Golden on Monday, March 1st.

He was born December 10, 1933, in Denver, the ninth child of ten and fifth boy of Howard T. Kissell and Susie M. Gallagher. He graduated in 1952 from St. Francis de Sales High School where he met the love of his life, Mary Patricia Briggs “Pat”. Don was part of the 37th Infantry Division and the 37th Military Police Company during his 23 months in the Army, from July 1953 until June 1955. Upon his return, he and Pat married on August 27th 1955, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Denver. They grew their family with three daughters and one son.

Don’s employers included Cummings Diesel, Gallagher Freight Lines/Consolidated Freight Lines, and Texaco Refining & Marketing, which he retired from on August 1, 1993. He held several positions with Texaco including Diesel Mechanic Foreman, Field Maintenance Supervisor in six states, Safety Supervisor, Construction Supervisor, and Regional Manager of Convenience Stores.

After retirement, Don had his own handyman business for several years. He also stayed busy volunteering at Twin Parish’s Food Bank once weekly for a number of years. He volunteered at the Englewood Federal Correctional Facility and the Arvada Center as well.

Through the years Don and Pat were involved with the Shrine of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and Spirit of Christ Catholic Community. In the ‘70s, Mini Parishes started and the group he and Pat were active in became a movie group of 12 couples, which met for over 30 years. They had many cherished relationships in this group and shared life with them. Don and Pat enjoyed many years of camping with the kids in our beautiful Rocky Mountains, bicycle riding along the paths of Cherry Creek and the Platte River, and trips to Glenwood Springs to soak in the Hot Springs Pool.

Don is survived by his sister Vivian Leonhard (95), children Renee (Rick Femmer) of Evergreen, Suzette Pulliam of Bennett, Andrea Whisler of Golden, and Bill (Shana Orrecchio-Kissell) of Holly. His pride and joys were his eight grandchildren: Daril (Jason Blake), Lauren (Luke Weaver), Alex Pulliam, Stratton Whisler, Ben Pulliam, Audrey Pulliam, Luka Lamperouge and Josie Kissell, and three great-grandchildren, Tatum and Reese Blake, and Bo Weaver. Also dear to Don were Rich Pulliam of Bennett and Greg Whisler of Arvada. He is also survived by numerous other relatives and friends. Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Pat who died September 26, 1998, his parents, and nine of his ten siblings.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on March 25, 2021 at Horan & McConaty, Arvada location, 7577 W. 80th Ave., with reception immediately following. Interment will be held at Mount Olivet for immediate family at a later date. Due to Covid restrictions, the number of attendees is limited to 75.

The service will be live streamed and also available on Facebook afterward, for viewing at your convenience, https://bxcited.com/donaldkissell/ . Please RSVP your attendance for “In Person” to any of his kids. Family and close friends will be given first consideration. Masks are required for attendance.

If you would like to make a donation in Don’s name, please consider St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, Feed the Children, 333 N Meridian, Oklahoma City, OK 73107, or Spirit of Christ Catholic Community, 7400 W 80th Ave, Arvada, CO 80003.