Don Wade Sullivan, 85, died December 13, 2023 at his home in Gray, Kentucky after a lengthy illness.
Everyone who was fortunate enough to know him agrees that even after a long and hard-working life, at 85, he is gone much too soon.
His pockets — always filled with treats for his grandchildren — were hallmarks of his easy humor and constant generosity.
At the time of his death, he was surrounded by family, including his beloved wife of many decades, Helen Higgins Sullivan, and son, Don Wayne Sullivan.
He was known and loved as a veteran, a son, a brother, a husband, a dad, a papaw, an uncle, and a lifelong farmer.
As a teenager, he enlisted in the Army after graduation, and went on to serve in the presidential honor guard, performing numerous duties on behalf of the President of the United States.
After serving his country, he returned home to a brief job with the railroad, before joining his father, Jim Sullivan, in running and expanding the family farm. When his dad retired with Alzheimer’s in his 70s, he would do up the work and then visit him almost every night at the nursing home with an ice cream cone. When people asked “why do you keep going, if he doesn’t even know you anymore?” He answered,
“That’s all right. I know him.”
On a hot June day earlier this Summer, he received the Kentucky Farm Bureau Legacy Farm Award. He was to be recognized at the KFB Annual Meeting in November. The farm has been in the family for more than 100 years and he was recognized for his long-standing commitment and significant contribution to the surrounding community.
As one family friend pointed out, “My whole life I have seen him hauling hay, or on a tractor. Always working.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, James T. and Nellie Sullivan, and all four of his siblings, Billy Sullivan (Cincinnati, OH); Bob Sullivan (Birmingham AL); Alma Kuiper (Grand Rapids MI); and June Sullivan VanGorder (Corbin KY).
He is survived by his beloved wife, Helen Higgins Sullivan; and his adult children, Donna Sullivan Roark (Brandon); Vicki Sullivan Cima (Anthony): Don Wayne Sullivan (Rachelle); Darla Miller (Houston) and Sherry Miller Strickland (Lexington).
He leaves behind his adoring grandchildren Braxton and Annabelle Cima; Brandi, Sophia, and DonJames Roark; Katelyn and Mark Elliott; Raeghan Miller; and Chase Smith.
Another grandson is on the way in Spring 2024, a source of great joy and a continuation of his legacy. The five surviving nephews and one niece are William, Daniel, and Stephen Kuiper (Grand Rapids); Marvin Sullivan (Birmingham); Russell Reeves Jr (New Orleans) and Rhonda Reeves (Lexington).
Somewhere beneath his life as a farmer, beat the heart of a true cowboy and cattleman, and his herds mourned the loss of his daily visits throughout his illness.
The weekly stock sales have not been the same without him, even though he watched them on his iPad in recent years.
His blood ran John Deere green, and his pastures and hills, barns and greenhouse will cast a long shadow of the memory of him for the rest of time. We will all tell the story of him forever.
The Sullivan family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and Wednesday, December 20, 2023 from 11:00 AM until the funeral hour of 1:00 PM. Reverend Darrell Warren will officiate assisted by Roger Hare. Musical tribute to be performed by Terry Seals. Interment will follow the funeral service in the Keck Cemetery, Gray, Kentucky. Casket Bearers are Spencer Lawson, Don Sullivan, Wayne Sullivan, Anthony Cima, Braxton Cima, Brandon Roark, and Russell Reeves, Jr. Honorary Casket Bearers are Billy Ray Smith, Jr., Roger Hare, and Roger Helton.
The Hopper family, Victoria Hopper and Sally Hopper, and the staff of Hopper Funeral Home express sincere condolences to the family and friends of Don Wade Sullivan.
Hopper Funeral Home, established over 100 years ago is in charge of all service arrangements for Don Wade Sullivan.
