Donald Lee Goseland Sr.

If you ever had the pleasure of knowing Donald Lee Goseland, 78, you probably have a story about him - and there’s a good chance that story involves fishing, hunting, a game of poker, a slot machine win or one of his many tall tales.

Born in Wichita, Kansas, on January 4, 1948, Don called Derby, Kansas, home.

He spent 22 years serving with the Wichita Police Department, retiring in 1992. During his career, he worked on several high-profile cases, including the BTK investigation and the Holiday Inn sniper shooting. After retirement, he began a second career with Boeing/Spirit as a security investigator, taking pride in both his work and the relationships he built along the way. 

Don enjoyed competing in the annual Police & Fire fishing tournament at Table Rock Lake with his best friend and sons, and the numerous trips to Beaver Lake chasing that prized striper. 

He was a devoted husband to Mary, with whom he shared 39 years of marriage. Together, they blended their families and created lasting memories. Some of the very best were holiday gatherings – often made better with Uncle Earl’s homemade wine, a good game of poker or a spirited round of LCR complete with table-pounding chants of “L-L-L or C-C-C or R-R-R.” Others were made during summer days boating on Cheney Lake, countless backyard pool parties on Carter Street, and the always memorable Fourth of July celebrations at the cabin.

On August 17, 2026, the cards were put away, the fishing pole was set down, and the slots had to go on without him. He leaves behind a family and a lifetime of friends who will miss his laughter, his stories, his generosity, and, of course, his ability to turn just about any ordinary day into a story worth telling.

Don is survived by his wife, Mary; siblings, Mary Palmer (wife of late Mike Palmer); Paul Goseland and Roberta Keeton; sons, Don Jr. and Daniel Neises; daughters, Jane Chavez, Holly Cash, and Christine Cobb; grandchildren, Alex, Evan, Jessica, Ashlee, Ivy, Drake, Jake, Breanna, Mary-Jane, Sydney, Alicia; and many great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by parents, Mattie Triplet and Earl Goseland; brothers, Leo and Earl Goseland Jr.; sons, James and Rusty Goseland; son-in-law, Lucas Cobb.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Smith Family Mortuaries located at 1415 N Rock Road Derby, KS 67037.