Donald A. Binns, Lawrence

Mr. Binns died Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born Aug. 5, 1917, in Martin City, Mo., the son of Victor and Rhetta VanGordon Binns. He graduated from Kansas University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in education.

Mr. Binns served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and retired after 20 years of service. He was a Japanese prisoner of war for four years. He taught American government at Lawrence High School from 1960 to 1976. He was the founder and director of Lawrence Alternative High School from 1976 until he retired in 1982. He was a member of University Community of Christ Church in Lawrence. He was also a member of the Kansas National Education Assn., Lawrence Education Assn. and Retired Teachers Assn. He served on the Lawrence City Commission for eight years and was a former mayor of Lawrence. He was also a Red Cross water safety trainer.

He married Eunice Helene Schmidt on Aug. 27, 1940, in Seattle. She died March 9, 1995.

Survivors include a daughter, JoAnn Sherar, Shawnee; a son, Donald V. Binns, Lawrence; a brother, Louis Binns, Rogers, Ark.; a sister, Aleen Sandgren, Independence, Mo., five grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary.

The family suggests memorials to the Lawrence Schools Foundation, sent in care of the mortuary.

E-mail condolences may be sent to info@warrenmcelwain.com, subject: Binns.