Doug Munsell Sr.

Lyman Douglas Munsell Sr., 84, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2024 at his home outside Liberal, KS in the presence of his family.

He was born on June 16th, 1940 to Noble Lyman Munsell and Maxine Faye Brenton Munsell in Mooreland, OK. 

Doug lived on the family ranch between Mooreland, OK and Woodward, OK and attended Mooreland, OK Schools where he was a star on the Bearcat Football team. He moved with the family his Jr year to Liberal, KS. After the move, Doug was really not interested in school but with the help and guidance of his high school sweetheart, Elaine Furr, he did graduate LHS in 1959. Just eleven months later he married Mary Elaine Furr on April 3rd 1960 at First Southern Baptist Church in Liberal, KS. They welcomed two sons to the family; Doug Jr in 1961 and Danny in 1966.

Doug competed in rodeos entering the bareback riding and bull riding and also worked as a rodeo clown and bullfighter from the mid-fifties through the early seventies. The sport was in the family blood as all three of his brothers, both his sons, his oldest grandson, and many nieces and nephews competing and being successful in their chosen events of the sport.

Doug attended Panhandle State University from 1968-72 and completed his BS degree while holding down a night service mechanic job and feeding his family. 

Doug was heavily involved in the Boy Scouts of America. While in Liberal he was the scoutmaster of Troop 189. He enjoyed teaching the values and the pioneering skills that BSA taught at the time, so much that he decided to make a career of it. He became a District Scout Executive for the next ten years with stints in Pratt, KS, Garden City, KS, and Ogallala, NE. During this time he served as Camp Director at Camp Kanza near Abbeyville, KS and Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch near Walsenburg, CO for many years. 

In 1982 he became the Director of Rock Springs Ranch 4H Center south of Junction City, KS, a position he would hold through 1984.

Late 1984 he and Elaine moved back to Liberal KS and he again returned to PSU to update his teaching certificate. He was hired by USD 480 as 4th-6th grade PE teacher in 1985 and retired in 2006. He was loved by his students. He was heavily involved with KNEA and other teacher organizations, being a representative and attending many national conventions.

All these years he never quit entertaining as a clown. He presented Poppa D Clown's Magical Circus throughout all the years as a scout executive and an educator. He entertained at scout functions, schools, libraries, business promotions, restaurants, company events, county fairs and many more venues. He and Elaine formed a Clown Alley in Liberal for several years and also had Clown University at SCCC. Doug and Elaine belonged to many world-wide clown associations. He realized a life-long dream of running away with the circus as he traveled with Carson and Barnes Circus serving in many positions but always a clown and always entertaining for the 2007 through 2010 seasons. He loved entertaining as a clown, making people laugh and forgetting their troubles for a brief while. He was especially proud that he had entertained in 45 states.

Doug and Elaine are longtime members of the First Southern Baptist Church of Liberal, KS. He was also a proud member of the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo Committee for many years along with the Seward County PRCA Rodeo Committee.

Doug is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Elaine. Two sons, Doug Jr and wife Lorrie of Ulysses, KS; Danny and wife Lori of Salina, KS; Two brothers Dick Munsell and wife Betty of Woodward, OK; Dusty Munsell and wife Becky of Calumet, OK; Sister Sherri Castillo and husband Paul of Liberal, KS; Three Grandsons, Wacey Munsell of Ulysses, KS; Keetan Munsell of Salina, KS; Conner Munsell of Salina,,KS; Granddaughter Baleigh Weil and husband Clay of Dodge City, KS; Two Great Granddaughters Jennings Weil and Iyla Weil of Dodge City, KS and numerous nephews and nieces.

Preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Darcy Munsell.

Per Doug's wishes there will be no viewing and cremation has taken place.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 23, 2024 at First Southern Baptist Church in Liberal, KS. Lunch will be served after the service. The family wishes to extend the lunch invitation to all family members and friends. 

Doug was an animal lover and the family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to any of the following: Angels for Animals, WISE Animal Group Society, or Liberal Animal Shelter in care of Miller Mortuary PO Box 826 Liberal, KS 67905-0826.