Donald McCormick, 87, of Vincennes, passed away at 11:35 pm Sunday December 24, 2017 at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Don was born April 10, 1930, second son of Clarence and Emma (Bobe) McCormick. He was a Decker High School graduate and attended Purdue University. In 1950 Clarence McCormick was appointed as Undersecretary of Agriculture by President Harry Truman and Don returned home to manage the family farm. Don later purchased and expanded the farming operation leading to the formation of McCormick Farms Inc.
In 1960 Don entered the insurance business and spent the next 50 years managing McCormick Insurance Agency.
In the 1960’s Don became interested in raising and exhibiting registered Quarter Horses. His family exhibited registered Quarter Horses all over the Midwest with considerable success in a variety of events. Don also became a judge for the American Quarter Horse Association. For 26 years he judged registered Quarter Horse shows throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.
In 1968, the Governor of Indiana appointed Don as a Director of the Indiana State Fair. He held the position for 8 years and during that time was able to expand the Indiana State Fair Quarter Horse show to the largest state fair quarter horse show in the nation.
In 1980 Governor Otis Bowen appointed Don as a Sagamore of the Wabash for his service to the citizens of Indiana.
Don was past president of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, the Mutual Insurance Companies Association of Indiana, the Indiana Quarter Horse Association, the Tri-State Quarter Horse Association, and the Indiana Cutting Horse Association. Since 1968 he has served as a Director of the American Quarter Horse Association. He was a Director of Farmers Home Insurance Company for over 50 years and served many years as its manager.
Don was an active member of the Community United Methodist Church. Don with his two brothers and sister provided the funding for the Community church pavilion built as a memorial to their parents, Clarence and Emma McCormick.
Don is survived by his wife of 35 years Karen Buescher; sons Dexter McCormick and wife Patty, of Zionsville, Ray McCormick and wife Cheryl of Vincennes; five grandchildren, Nate McCormick, Marilyn Sergi, Meghan Eddy, Morgan McCormick, Greg McCormick; two step grandchildren, Tammie Coco, and Teresa Gift; and nine great grandchildren. Also surviving are brother Edward McCormick and wife Lana Sue of Dallas, and sister Lorene McCormick Burkhart of Indianapolis. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his brother C. James McCormick, and son Douglas McCormick.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, December 30, 2017 at Community United Methodist Church with Rev. Stacy Downing and Rev. Ray Tromley officiating. A private family burial will follow. Visitation will be from 4-8 pm Friday at the Community United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Community United Methodist Church or the McCormick Scholarships at Vincennes University. Online condolences may be made at www.goodwinfamilyfh.com
