1931
Donald
2009
Donald Smith
July 12, 1931 — July 12, 2009
Donald L. Smith, 78, of Leawood KS and Naples FL passed away on July 12, 2008 at his home after a brief illness which he fought with great courage and strength. Don was born in St. Joseph MO on April 19, 1931 and was raised on a farm in Rosendale MO. Don was preceded in death by his Beloved wife of 49 years Sally A. Smith, his father Adolphus Donald Smith, his mother Rachael Blessing Ball, & infant brother Charles Smith.
Don graduated from the University of Missouri in January of 1953. He played Football, Basketball, and Baseball, was a Member & VP of Alpha Gamma Sigma, Won Hardest Working Freshman and was Homecoming Chairman in 1951. Don always said he bled Black and Gold for his Missouri Tigers.
Don was an Intelligence Officer in the USAF and was stationed in Yakota, Japan.
After the Air Force Don worked for the Quaker Oats Company in Sherman, Texas and St. Joseph MO. In 1961 he joined Lauhoff Grain Company in Danville IL to build the largest dry Corn Milling Facility in the world at the time. In 1976 left Lauhoff to return to the Kansas City area to run Archer Daniel Midlands Operations in KC and Lincoln NE.
In 1978 he joined Christopher and Long as VP of Food and AgriBusiness. In 1986, he started his own recruiting firm, Smith Brown & Jones, LLC and continued to work up until his death. He also owned Donald L. Smith & Co Real Estate, Mobile Home Parks in Danville and Rantoul, IL and Farms near King City MO with his wife Sally.
He served as President of the Danville CC, President of AMBUC in Danville, Member of Midwest Christian Counseling, Member of the Pinnacle Society, VP of Edgewood Home Owners Association and President of the Antique and Classic Car Club of Abdullah Shrine of Overland Park. He has served 3 years on the Consistory of his church, Crossroads Church.
Don has belonged to the Overland Park Abdullah Shrine since 1977 and received his Knights Templar Degree in Olathe KS in 2002.
Donald Smith is survived by many lifelong loving friends, his son Donald L. Smith II of Kennesaw GA, his daughter Shelley and son -in- law Mark Young of Olathe KS, Grand daughter Aubrey Taylor Young and Grandson Brett Donald Young of Olathe KS and his special companion and travel partner of the last few years, Carol Akins of St. Joseph, MO.
In lieu of Flowers the family requests donations to the Shrine Childrens Hospitals, Abdallah Shrine in Overland Park or Midwest Christian Counseling.
We welcome Dons friends and family to his funeral service at DW Newcomers at 8201 Metcalf Overland Park KS on July 16, 2009 for Visitation at 10am and Services at 11am. Arrangements by D.W. Newcomer’s Sons (913) 648-6224. Fond memories and condolences may be left at dwnewcomers.com.
Don graduated from the University of Missouri in January of 1953. He played Football, Basketball, and Baseball, was a Member & VP of Alpha Gamma Sigma, Won Hardest Working Freshman and was Homecoming Chairman in 1951. Don always said he bled Black and Gold for his Missouri Tigers.
Don was an Intelligence Officer in the USAF and was stationed in Yakota, Japan.
After the Air Force Don worked for the Quaker Oats Company in Sherman, Texas and St. Joseph MO. In 1961 he joined Lauhoff Grain Company in Danville IL to build the largest dry Corn Milling Facility in the world at the time. In 1976 left Lauhoff to return to the Kansas City area to run Archer Daniel Midlands Operations in KC and Lincoln NE.
In 1978 he joined Christopher and Long as VP of Food and AgriBusiness. In 1986, he started his own recruiting firm, Smith Brown & Jones, LLC and continued to work up until his death. He also owned Donald L. Smith & Co Real Estate, Mobile Home Parks in Danville and Rantoul, IL and Farms near King City MO with his wife Sally.
He served as President of the Danville CC, President of AMBUC in Danville, Member of Midwest Christian Counseling, Member of the Pinnacle Society, VP of Edgewood Home Owners Association and President of the Antique and Classic Car Club of Abdullah Shrine of Overland Park. He has served 3 years on the Consistory of his church, Crossroads Church.
Don has belonged to the Overland Park Abdullah Shrine since 1977 and received his Knights Templar Degree in Olathe KS in 2002.
Donald Smith is survived by many lifelong loving friends, his son Donald L. Smith II of Kennesaw GA, his daughter Shelley and son -in- law Mark Young of Olathe KS, Grand daughter Aubrey Taylor Young and Grandson Brett Donald Young of Olathe KS and his special companion and travel partner of the last few years, Carol Akins of St. Joseph, MO.
In lieu of Flowers the family requests donations to the Shrine Childrens Hospitals, Abdallah Shrine in Overland Park or Midwest Christian Counseling.
We welcome Dons friends and family to his funeral service at DW Newcomers at 8201 Metcalf Overland Park KS on July 16, 2009 for Visitation at 10am and Services at 11am. Arrangements by D.W. Newcomer’s Sons (913) 648-6224. Fond memories and condolences may be left at dwnewcomers.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Smith, please visit our flower store.