Donald R. Sneegas
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Memorial services for Donald R. Sneegas, 85, Lawrence will be held at 4:00 p.m. Monday, October 15, 2018 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. A reception will be held at Six Mile Chop House in the Banquet Room immediately following the service. Private family burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery at an earlier time. Don passed away Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at his home.
Don was born July 11, 1933 in Lawrence, KS the son of Walt and Mary Louise (Marsh) Sneegas.
He graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1951 and the University of Kansas in 1955 with a BS degree in Business. While attending the University of Kansas he was a member of the track team where he threw the javelin and won the Kansas Relays in 1954 and 1955. Don played a lot of baseball growing up, but KU already had enough pitchers ahead of him, so he decided at that time to throw the javelin. Don served in the U.S. Air Force for a couple of years after graduating and maintained his pilot’s license for many years.
He worked as a sales representative for Lawrence Paper Company for over 40 years.
He married Carol W. Miller on March 16, 1956 in Marianna, FL. She preceded him in death May 31, 2003.
Survivors include two of his three sons, Randy (Ruth Anne) Sneegas, Lawrence and Steve Sneegas, Roeland Park, KS. He was preceded in death by his son Donald R. (Rich) Sneegas, Jr. on June 10, 2018 in Dallas. His significant other, Betty Wright survives of the home. Don really enjoyed his family time with Betty and her family, in addition to all family time throughout his life. Other survivors include his two grandsons, John (Liz – fiancé), Jason (Alex) and great-granddaughter, Olive. He is also survived by his brother Larry (Marvie) and two sister-in laws, Mary Jean and Ruth, and many other close relatives. His brothers Byron, Bob (Betty Lou), and Walt preceded him in death.
Don loved to tell jokes and make people smile. His hobbies included playing golf, playing the piano, attending theatre, snow skiing, playing tennis, and traveling with family. Don and Betty traveled extensively in Europe, South America, China, and Australia. He was also well known for planning gatherings or reunions for family and high school classmates.
Memorial Contributions may be made in his name to Great Lakes Hospice, Trinity Lutheran Church or to the donor’s choice and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Randy, Ruth Anne & Family,
Prayers & hugs from Debi & Rod
Don was a great first cousin and he helped me look after my fathers house after his death until it was sold years later.
Don was always able to have tell a joke and raise the spirits of anyone he should meet.
He will be missed.
Don was the Lion King of our Liberty Memorial High School, Class of 1951. He had the names, addresses, and phone numbers of each class member in his little black book. In the same book, he had also written down some of his jokes. For a long time I wondered how he could always come up with a joke at each monthly lunch that we have had for many years. Don was always the leader in planning our class reunions. In fact, he told us at several lunches during this year, that our 70th reunion would be April 1, 2021. We always meet on the first Wednesday of the month. I checked and April 1, 2021 will be on the first Wednesday of April in 2021. He had it planned exactly on the right day. He will be greatly missed by all of us. His sense of humor, and even some “bad” jokes, made us laugh and/or just roll our eyes. He made us all glad to be there with him. He will be greatly missed.