Don Joyner

(From Parker Mortuary)

Dr. Donald Robert Joyner passed away peacefully in his sleep at home with his family on January 13. He was 84. Don was born August 5, 1939, in New Castle, Indiana, to Harry and Gertrude “Trudy” Joyner.

His younger brother Butch was born in 1945. They spent their youth playing pickup basketball on any hoop they could find or the driveway young Don paved himself in 1945. Don graduated from New Castle High School in 1957. He won awards for basketball and running cross country track for the Trojans. 

Upon graduation, Don enlisted in the Air Force under the Berry Plan. He received his bachelor’s degree from Depauw University in 1961 and his medical degree from Indiana University in 1965. In 1960, he married Judi White in Indiana and they had three sons, Mark, Tim and Jim.

The family relocated to Malmstrom Airforce Base in Great Falls, Mont., in 1969 where Don provided obstetrics and gynecology services for the Air Force. He left the Air Force with the rank of Major. In 1972, he opened his private practice in Great Falls. During his four decades of practice, he delivered thousands of children and provided services for thousands of families from Great Falls and surrounding communities.

In 1979, Don purchased a log cabin on Salmon Lake near Seeley, Mont., to enjoy fishing and lake recreation with family and friends. Upon divorcing Judi in 1980, Don married Tavie McKay and together they had son Colin and raised Tavie’s daughter, Bryn. They divorced in 2001. In the summer, Don enjoyed playing golf and tennis at Meadowlark Country Club and spending time at the Salmon Lake cabin. He developed a lifelong love for fishing. 

During winter, he loved to ski at Showdown and Big Sky. He was also an active leader in the Uptown Optimist club, serving one time as president. As a diehard Indiana University fan, Don even got to root on his Hoosiers to victory in one final basketball game the afternoon before his death.

Don married a third time to Dr. Patsy Vargo in Choteau, Mont., in 2002. He retired from private medical practice in 2009 and they relocated to SantaRosa Beach, Florida, where he enjoyed the beaches and tarpon fishing. Donand Patsy took medical service trips to Russia, China, Malawi, and Belize. In 2018, they divorced and Don moved to Joplin, Missouri, to be close to his son Mark, and many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Don is survived by his brother (Butch), nephews (Jeff, Todd), cousin (Don Vivian), five children (Mark, Tim, Jim, Bryn, and Colin), seven grandchildren (Hannah, Lauren, Katelyn, Hope, Jackson, Avery, Mark), and ten greatgrandchildren (Jack, Jude, Leo, Romeo, Elsie, Jones, Sadie, Stacie, Max, Kai and two more on the way).

Don’s family will hold a private commemoration at a yet to be determined date and time.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.