Obituary

Don L. Vogelsmeier, 80, passed away on September 10, 2019. Memorial services will be Saturday, September 14, 2019 at the Lee’s Summit Christian Church, 800 NE Tudor Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Lee’s Summit Christian Church, or Leukemia and Lymphoma Association.

Don was born April 1, 1939 to Harry L Vogelsmeier and Mildred P Vickrey in Kansas City, Missouri. Don passed to his eternal life on September 10, 2019, doing what he loved to do best, playing golf. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Jana K Vogelsmeier. He is survived by sons Jon Alan (Tani), James Lee (Amy) Vogelsmeier and Theodore A (Leah) and Scott A (Leesa) Dawson, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

He graduated from Central High School in 1957 and joined the Marines (Semper Fi!). He then graduated from Central Missouri State College with a bachelor’s degree in business. He worked at Western Electric for 38 years.

Don retired, but he did not stop working and taking on jobs. He repaired rental properties. He worked on cars at a friend’s car lot; getting paid with lunch! Recently, he started working for Callaway demoing clubs and gear at various courses turned out to be his dream job. All the time spent on the course really paid off!

Don was a man of many talents and interests. He loved collecting…well…lots of things. His fishing skills were on display at many area fishing spots over the years. His epic toy car collection has had kids dreaming of driving fast cars for years. His California Raisin collection inspired at least one child to scale the stairs to play with them. His putting green and putter collection in the basement provided endless hours of fun for him and the kids. If you ever needed an M&M, you only had to turn around in any direction to find a dispenser. Many kids spoiled their dinner thanks to that collection! Of course, his golf equipment and memorabilia collection is truly astounding. Football at all levels held a special place in his heart; high school and college level and of course the Chiefs. A long-time season-ticket holder, Don perfected the art of getting home from Arrowhead in what seemed like mere minutes.

Don had a plethora of very helpful skills. He learned to drive a tow truck and be a mechanic in Warsaw, Missouri. The dollars he saved his kids and others by repairing their cars must count into the thousands (though likely a gross under exaggeration). He was a near-professional shopper of most things, but especially of amazing thrift store finds, and cars. If you needed help researching a car or finding a good deal, he was your guy. If he could not find something or fix something for you, he knew someone who could!

Don had friends in virtually every state. He never met a stranger. Some of his oldest friends were in the “Gourmet Club.” Four couples met for dinner once a month for 45 years. They went on amazing Caribbean cruises, guys weekend retreats to the Ozarks, and much more. Don loved kids. Always had time for the little ones. He would love to hold kids, as long as they were “bigger than the biggest fish I ever caught.”

Relaxing and enjoying life came naturally to Don. When Don was not golfing, he and Judith were inseparable, including spending each winter in Florida, enjoying the sunny climate and gorgeous golf courses each year. Don’s love of life and people made him the magnetic person he was. His dapper style, hearty laugh, huge hugs, helpfulness, and kind heart have left an imprint on the lives on more people than we can count.