Donald Joseph Hastings, 61, Adrian, MO, died Sunday, April 26, 2009 at the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, KS following a long and courageous battle with liver disease. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2009 at Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian. No visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to the Donald Hastings Memorial Fund, c/o Atkinson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Adrian, MO 64720.

Don was born January 19, 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the first-born son of Raymond and Mary (Billiot) Rotter along with a twin brother, Dan. Don and his brother were adopted by their aunt, Mildred Rotter Hastings, the wife of Winthrop N. Hastings, and grew up in Kansas City, MO. Don and his brother were the first children in the state of Missouri to be adopted by a single woman. Mrs. Hastings' husband was killed in the line of duty on the beaches of Normandy during World War II. Don served in the U.S. Army for two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. The war had a tremendous impact on Don. He served as a machine gunner on a gun Jeep; a very dangerous position. Don often told fascinating, scary, and sad stories of his service to his country. On November 8th, 1987, Don was united in marriage to Jean Frances (Workman) Tullock in Miami, Oklahoma. In addition to his wife, Don gained a son, Tony Tullock, and three daughters, Laurie Carter, Angie Wiley, and Charla Tullock.

Don lead a full and interesting life, and his wandering spirit took him on adventures that most people can only imagine. He was a people person, and enjoyed working as everything from a security guard at a Kansas City casino, to a custodian at an elementary school. One of his dreams was to run his own ice cream truck, which he fulfilled. In addition to his other occupations, Don enjoyed raising cattle and other livestock with his wife.

Don spent a great deal of time outdoors before his illness robbed him of his strength and energy. He loved to fish in the pond at his house with his wife and grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting for morels in early spring. It was a common sight to see him outside tinkering with some piece of equipment or working on one of many projects he'd decided needed attention.

Don loved his children, grandchildren, as well as people, in general, and anything that allowed him to meet and interact with others brought him great joy. He was always ready and willing to help someone out, even if it meant personal sacrifice or cost to him. Don enjoyed spoiling his grandkids, and was caught time after time slipping them candy and cookies without their parents' permission. He enjoyed visiting flea markets and finding little 'treasures' he thought others would enjoy.

Don was preceded in death by his biological parents, his adoptive mother, Mildred and an infant daughter, Rebecca Ann. He is survived by his wife, Jean, of the home; his stepson, Tony Tullock of Adrian, MO and his daughter, Kacey Tullock of Butler, MO; stepdaughter, Laurie (Tullock) Carter and her children, Clayton White and Kirsten Carter, all of Adrian, MO; stepdaughter, Angie (Tullock) Wiley and her husband, Chad and their children, Lucas and Piper, all of Amoret, MO; stepdaughter, Charla Tullock and her children, Tanner Tullock and Whitlee DeWitt, all of Adrian, MO; a twin brother, Daniel Hastings and his children, Michelle, Melissa, and Michael, all of Kansas City, MO; two half sisters, Pam Begault, Marrdo, LA and Sharon Coe, Magnolia, MS and many friends.