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Lionel Adair Potts, Jr.
4043 43rd Street
Des Moines, IA 50310
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on April 5, 2006
Des Moines Register Lionel Adair Potts, Jr. Lionel
A. Potts, Jr., 72, died Sunday, April 2, 2006 after a long courageous battle with
leukemia. Funeral service will be held 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 7, 2006 at Hamilton's
Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, with interment following at Highland Memory Gardens
Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 6 at Hamilton's Funeral
Home. Lionel was born August 9, 1933 to Lionel Sr., and Lena Potts in Des
Moines, IA. He graduated from North High School and then from Drake University.
At Drake, he was a letter-winner on the baseball team for three years. Lionel
spent two years in the US Navy, where he earned a commendation of valor and bravery
in the at sea rescue of typhoon victims in 1956. During his service, he traveled
to Asia and climbed to the top of Mt. Fuji. After his service, he returned
to his employment at Banker's Life, where he obtained Fellowship of the Society
of Actuaries. At Banker's Life, he met Diane Derham, who he married on September
24, 1960. Together they enjoyed many years of family and travel and were fortunate
to have four children. Lionel enjoyed many things with his family including many
family vacations, camping, fishing, coaching his children's teams, and teaching
them his love of sports and of the outdoors. He was active in his children's many
activities including Beaverdale Little League and Salvation Army basketball. He
continued all his life to be active and ran his first 5K at age 55. Lionel
was employed at Principal Financial (formerly Banker's Life) in Des Moines for
30 years, and later retired from Mutual Trust Life Ins. Company in Oakbrook, IL.
He retired back to his home in Des Moines with his wife and enjoyed spending time
with his children and grandchildren. Lionel is survived by his wife, Diane;
his children, Russell (Becky) Potts of Pleasant Hill, Julie Potts (Jeff French)
of Bellevue, WA, Linda (John) Durman of Waukee and Brian (Kathleen) Potts of Coralville,
IA; and nine grandchildren, Benjamin, Meredith and Natalie Potts, all of Pleasant
Hill; George, Lillie, Sophie and Tess French of Bellevue, WA; and Melissa and
Jack Durman of Waukee. He was preceded in death by his father, Lionel Potts,
Sr.; his mother, Lena Potts; and his brother, H. Ronald Potts. Memorial
contributions may be given in Lionel's memory to the Drake University "D"
Club.
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