Donald Leo Varner

Dr. Donald Leo Varner, DVM, 76 passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.  Visitation will be at Breeland Funeral Home on Friday, July 18, 2025 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.  Visitation will also be Saturday, July 19, 2025 at St. Matthews United Memorial Church from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am memorial service.

Don was born in Canton MS, shortly after he moved with his family to Yazoo City.  He grew up on Lamar Street with his neighbor, David Byrd. Don made many lifelong friends playing on Yazoo City’s legend baseball teams, Hailey Barber and Jim Simmons to name a few.  He played on the Little League team, the Rotary Mouse’s. Yazoo City was big rivals with Canton and Provine, all 3 were powerhouses in the North Mississippi athletic district.
Don’s family moved back to Canton in time for him to begin school in the 9th grade. 
He played on the outstanding Canton High Basketball team led by well-known Coach Cooper. He was a graduate of the largest class to graduate from CHS in 1967.
Don went on to graduate in 1970 from Mississippi State University in Veterinary medicine. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity where many friendships were made.  After graduating from MSU, Don was accepted into Auburn University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, receiving his doctoral degree in 1974.  After graduating from Auburn, Don became a partner with Dr. Billie Flynn in the Canton Animal Hospital where he practiced for 30 plus years. He was well known for his knowledge of horses.
After private practice, Don was appointed as a Federal Veterinarian with the USDA. He traveled for years all over the United States   
as emergency situations occurred in animal health.
After many years of service Don retired to spend time with his loving wife and family.  Don especially loved being PaPa Doc to his grandchildren and was very generous with his love.  His big delight was seeing and hearing what they were doing in their own lives. 
Don was a very smart, loving, caring and funny guy who will be missed beyond all measures.  May he rest in eternal peace with God.

He was preceded in death by: father, Leo Varner; mother, Louise Foster Varner; son, Jeff Varner; and step-son, Ed Blurton.

Survivors include: wife, Kay Varner; son, Brad Varner (Jenny); daughter, Fran Elder (Jim); step-sons, Joe Blurton and Chris Blurton (Eileen); sister, Judy Varner; grandchildren, Hayden Varner, Allie Varner, Mary Varner Elder, and Janey Elder; step-grandchildren, Clark Blurton (Julie), Laura Katherine Biggs (Stephen), Addie Paczak (John Martin), and Allie Blurton; and 3 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Matthews United Methodist Church; 7427 Old Canton Road; Madison, MS 39110.

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