On Wednesday, July 1st, 2020, Donald Lee Needy, 86, died with family at his bedside.
Don was born into a growing Louisville family with meager means on June 4th, 1934, to Roy and Ethel Needy. He was the fourth of eight children.
After learning how to best fight his brothers and sisters for his share of the available food, Donnie got his first job at a very young age and quickly acquired a skill that would become one of his life’s greatest convictions: hard work. At the ripe old age of 13, he also just so happened to meet the girl that would become the love of his life, Carol Jean Adkisson.
Having hard work and determination at his (seemingly infinite) disposal, he graduated Louisville Male High School with a track and field record; and just before Christmas in December of 1954, Don married Carol, with whom he would build his entire life, and to whom he would be wed until her death in 2004.
Immediately after high school, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served for 4 years, the majority of his time being spent on the USS Northampton. Following his tour in the Navy, Don took advantage of the GI Bill to study and graduate with a degree in chemistry from the University of Louisville, while also working at LG&E and helping his wife raise their three children, Donald, Patricia, and Jane.
He developed a passion for chemistry that, coupled with his hard work and determination, enabled him to navigate an incredibly successful career working for United Catalyst, and later led to co-founding Resource Chemical Company.
While managing his career and family, Don also served as a Sunday School teacher, Finance Committee member and deacon at Beechland Baptist Church; and was a member of the Shively Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. Don’s career took him all over the globe and sparked friendships on multiple continents that proved to stand the test of time. He finally ( but reluctantly) retired in 2014, at the age of 80.
While Mr. Needy’s education and professional accomplishments might have been impressive, they surely are not his most profound contributions. Most might remember him by his calm demeanor, his strong presence, and his charismatic speaking ability. Some would refer to his love for Christ and the time he spent serving the church. Others might recall the intense pride and appreciation he always expressed for his family and friends.
Many will remember him by his seemingly random, yet incredibly generous, acts of kindness and charity toward others. His close friends and family will never forget his willingness to give, his unwavering encouragement, his high expectations, his unconditional love, and his tight, grumbling hugs.
There is truly no possible way to sum up this man’s life of work, passion, learning, giving, and loving - especially in an obituary - but this will hopefully serve as a flame to light your own memories of Don and bring you some joy in a time of heartache.
Donald Lee Needy was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Ethel Needy; his wife of 50 years, Carol Needy; his second wife, Janet Needy; brothers, William Needy, Sonny Needy, and Pat Needy; sisters, Jeannie Davis and Bitsy Moody; and great-grandson, Samuel Hack.
Don is survived by his brother George Needy; sister, Jo Ann Fiorello; son, Donald R (Rose) Needy; daughters, Patricia Kinsella and Jane Needy; grandchildren, Sara Needy, Amanda Hack (Adam), Patrick Kinsella (Erica), Dustin McElwain, and Nicholas McElwain; and great-grandchildren, Aubrey Hack, Braden Hack, Joy Hack and Charlie Kinsella.
Visitation will be Sunday, July 12th, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, Kentucky, 40205; with the funeral service immediately following at Highlands.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Salvation Army.