Douglas Ray VanDam, 71, formerly of LaHarpe, passed away on Sept. 30, 2013, at Leavenworth Veterans Administration Hospital.
He was born June 22, 1942, in Baldwin, to James and Opal (Foulkerson) VanDam. He graduated from Pratt High School in 1960 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. After his military service he returned to LaHarpe and worked as a plumber.
In 2005, he moved to Pryor, Okla., and worked in construction and rental management with his sister, Shirly Irwin. She passed away in January 2013 and he returned to LaHarpe. Because of health problems he went to Leavenworth hospital, where he was diagnosed with cancer.
Those who preceded him in death were his parents, his wife Carol, LaHarpe, a brother, Billy, and sister Shirly Irwin.
He is survived by his son, James, Le Roy; daughters, Janice Lynn, Pratt, Rebecca, Kansas City, Kan., and Karen, Joplin, Mo.; brother Donald and wife Mable Van Dam, Topeka, sister Norma Jean Finch, Iola, and several nieces and nephews.
Cremation has been requested and burial will be in LaHarpe Cemetery with his wife Carol.
Douglas VanDam
