POTTER, BERT , 92, Navy Veteran, passed on Monday, June 11, 2018 at Lakepoint Nursing Home, El Dorado. Bert was born on November 4, 1925 in Lamar, Missouri to PL and Ambrosia "Burt" Potter.  He was the seventh of twelve children.

F or several years while attending school in Liberal MO, Bert lived and worked for Estelle and Winona Rose.  Bert left high school before graduation to enlist in the U.S. navy where he served as a seaman first class until Dec 28, 1945.

U pon his honorable discharge at the end of WWII, Bert married Velma Farthing April 7, 1946 in Girard, KS.  They were married for 67 years.  The couple had two daughters.  Sharon Was born in Lamar, MO where the Potters farmed for several years before moving to El Dorado, KS in 1949 where their second daughter, Debra was born.

B ert was a master plumber involved in the plumbing of many buildings in El Dorado, including several at Butler Community College and El Dorado USD 490, the municipal swimming pool, and the fairway irrigation at the El Dorado Country Club.  The Potters retired in 1990 after 41 years in the plumbing and heating trade including 31 years as owners of Potter Plumbing and Heating through which they sponsored a women's bowling team, and little league baseball and softball teams for many years.

B ert enjoyed traveling with his wife, including several visits to Acapulco, Hawaii, two cruises, and a trip through Europe.  They also enjoyed visiting all the area casinos and even some farther away.  He enjoyed boating, fishing, and spending time in Branson.  He was an avid hunter and enjoyed yearly trips to Nebraska and western Kansas.  He loved golfing with family and friends and even made a hole-in-one at the El Dorado Country Club May 9, 1996.  Bert was the club champion in 1984 and also served as club president.  Bert enjoyed playing cards at the American Legion, where he never lost.

B ert is preceded in death by his parents, eight siblings, his wife, and daughter Debra.  He is survived by daughter Sharon (Gary) Owen of El Dorado, grandchildren Kristina (Chuck) Haahr of El Dorado and Michael (Kristen) Owen of Houston, great-grandchildren Isacc Haahr, Isabelle Haahr, and Mikala Owen, three sisters and their families.

V isitation with the family will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 14 at Heritage Funeral Home, 206 E. Central Ave., El Dorado. Graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 15, 2018 at Sunset Lawns Cemetery, El Dorado with Chaplain Terry Deaver officiating.

I n lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Legion Bicycle Fund or the Bert Potter Memorial Fund at Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital Foundation care of Heritage Funeral Home 206 E. Central Ave., El Dorado, KS 67042.