Flack Sr., Donald K.

Donald K. Flack Sr., 86, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, March 18, 2010, at Heritage Nursing & Rehab Center following a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Services: 1 p.m. Monday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, with military rites. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.   

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Martha of Cedar Rapids; sons, Don Jr. (fiancee Cindy) of North Liberty, Max (Kristine) and Mike (Mary) of Cedar Rapids; sister, Virginia Stout of Cedar Rapids; and sister, Rosemary Kerr of Oskaloosa. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lena (Broomfleet) Flack; brothers, Emory, Jess, Jim and Bob; and sisters, Louise and Lola. 

Don was born in Ottumwa on June 22, 1923. He served in the Navy during World War II on the Battleship U.S.S. Texas and Destroyer Stringham, and was medically discharged in 1943. He was united in marriage to Martha Poline on Dec. 12, 1943, in Lancaster, Mo. Don owned a barbershop for several years and taught at the Davenport Barber College when it first opened in the early ‘60s. He worked for the Cedar Rapids School District for almost 20 years in both maintenance and mail departments, but his real love in life was entertaining others with his music. His own radio show in the ‘40s on KBIZ Ottumwa (on-air name “Duke”) led to him forming several bands, calling square dances, and yodeling his way into the hearts of countless friends and fans for over 60 years. When asked, people often say they'll miss his special way of making them feel like a lifelong friend no matter who they were. 

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 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke's Hospice.