1938
Donovon
2015
Donovon Rarick
September 22, 1938 — July 25, 2015
Donovon (Don) Elon Rarick, 76 of Lenexa, Kansas peacefully passed away on July 25, 2015, at home with his loving family. Born September 22, 1938 in Sioux City, Iowa, the second son of Earl A. and Vera E.R. (Harned) Rarick, he grew up in nearby Leeds. He graduated from high school there, served in the Iowa Air National Guard as a specialist in electronics, and in 1957 moved his family to Omaha, Nebraska. Don is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kay (Presnell) and their children Angel (Charles) Rarick-Smith, and Eadon (Lisa) Rarick and 5 grandchildren – Alexandria Rarick, Zackery Rarick, Andon (Anna) Bervert, Brandyn Bervert and Toby (LeeMarie) Smith. He is also survived by his brothers Allan (Stephanie) Rarick, of Omaha, Nebraska, Loren (Donna) Rarick of Grand Junction, Colorado, and his sister Verla (Bruce) Rarick-Shaner Warr, also of Omaha, as well as 4 nieces and 3 nephews.
Possessing a keen mind and motivated to master the skills of his profession, Don began his productive 41-year career with AT&T in Omaha in 1957, attending Omaha University in the evenings. During this time, he met Kay, the “girl next door” and they were married on January 8, 1961. In 1966, he was transferred to Kansas City and attended Rockhurst University and UMKC at night, as well as courses and seminars offered through AT&T at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Bell Labs. His expertise and interpersonal skills led to his playing a key role in tailoring AT&T Call Center systems to unique needs of corporate clients, a function he performed not only domestically but also abroad, which required him and Kay to spend several enjoyable periods in England, Scotland, Austria and Italy. He retired from Bell Labs/AT&T in 1988 after 41 years.
Don’s greatest joy was his family. He was a loving and engaged father, husband and grandfather who, with Kay, guided, supported and celebrated their children and grandchildren’s life’s milestones. In recent years, his favorite refuge was his Kansas gentleman’s farm where his love of fishing, hunting and operating his vintage John Deere tractor brought smiles to his face.
To honor Don’s life a visitation will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2015 from 1:30pm to 2:30pm at Johnson County Funeral Chapel 11200 Metcalf Ave. Overland Park, KS 66210, immediately followed by a 2:30pm funeral service in the chapel and concluding with a graveside service in Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to Kansas City Hospice by making checks payable to Kansas City Hospice Foundation and mailing to 1500 Meadow Lake Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64114.
Possessing a keen mind and motivated to master the skills of his profession, Don began his productive 41-year career with AT&T in Omaha in 1957, attending Omaha University in the evenings. During this time, he met Kay, the “girl next door” and they were married on January 8, 1961. In 1966, he was transferred to Kansas City and attended Rockhurst University and UMKC at night, as well as courses and seminars offered through AT&T at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Bell Labs. His expertise and interpersonal skills led to his playing a key role in tailoring AT&T Call Center systems to unique needs of corporate clients, a function he performed not only domestically but also abroad, which required him and Kay to spend several enjoyable periods in England, Scotland, Austria and Italy. He retired from Bell Labs/AT&T in 1988 after 41 years.
Don’s greatest joy was his family. He was a loving and engaged father, husband and grandfather who, with Kay, guided, supported and celebrated their children and grandchildren’s life’s milestones. In recent years, his favorite refuge was his Kansas gentleman’s farm where his love of fishing, hunting and operating his vintage John Deere tractor brought smiles to his face.
To honor Don’s life a visitation will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2015 from 1:30pm to 2:30pm at Johnson County Funeral Chapel 11200 Metcalf Ave. Overland Park, KS 66210, immediately followed by a 2:30pm funeral service in the chapel and concluding with a graveside service in Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to Kansas City Hospice by making checks payable to Kansas City Hospice Foundation and mailing to 1500 Meadow Lake Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64114.
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