Darrell W. "Nick" Divine

Darrell W. "Nick" Divine, 85, of Parsons, passed away at 9:25 p.m., Thursday, July 30, 2015 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Nick was born in Parsons on April 25, 1930 to Bert and Hazel (Souter) Divine. He attended Parsons schools and was a 1949 graduate of Parsons High School. He was a gifted athlete, competing in football, basketball, and baseball. During the summer he was active in American Legion baseball and played against the Boyer brothers and Mickey Mantle. He earned his bachelor's degree from the Kansas State Teacher's College at Pittsburg, (PSU) and his master's degree from the Emporia State University. He was an educator and coach for 35 years. Nick began his teaching career in Humboldt, where he taught and coached football and basketball for ten years. In 1966, he returned to his hometown where he taught history and government at the Parsons High School until his retirement in 1992. While teaching in Parsons, Nick coached football, baseball and golf, and was the head basketball coach for ten years. Coach Divine led the Vikings to two state basketball championships in 1973 and 1975. He was also a drivers' education instructor during the summer. After retirement, he served as a substitute teacher in the Parsons School District for several years. Nick enjoyed golfing and was a former member of the Katy Golf Course. He also enjoyed the Kansas City Royals and KU Basketball. He was also a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church in Parsons. On May 30, 1952 he was united in marriage to Patricia A. Roberts at the former Washington Avenue Methodist Church. Survivors Include: His Wife: Patricia "Pat" Divine Daughter: Linda Lawson and her husband Tom – Pittsburg, Kansas Son: Dan Divine and his wife, Mary – Hutchinson, Kansas Two Grandsons: Jake Lawson and his wife, Julie – Sour Lake, Texas Josh Lawson and his wife, Greer – Aiken, South Carolina Two Granddaughters: Lauren Divine – Kansas City, Missouri Sarah Divine – Dodge City, Kansas Three Great-Granddaughters: Lane, Olivia and Maren Lawson Two Sisters: Leda Mae Chavez – Springfield, Missouri Jean Howard – Parsons, Kansas In addition to his parents, Nick was preceded in death by a daughter, Brenda Sue, who died in 1968 as well as one brother and two sisters. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at the Wesley United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Wesley United Methodist Church or the Parsons Education Foundation and these may be left at or mailed to the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, 405 Main Street, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, Kansas 67357. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Darrell W. "Nick" Divine, please visit our flower store.