Donald Glenn Sneed
Donald Glenn Sneed Jr., 69, of Lake Quivira Kansas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 17, 2012, with his loving family at his side.
Don was born February 3, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri, son of Donald and Elizabeth Sneed, and he graduated from Southwest High School in 1961 and attended Pittsburgh State University. He worked for Hopkins Manufacturing in Emporia for many years and, in 1991, he became the President and partner of Jasco, which developed the first fully adjustable drink holder called the “Spillmaster”. In 1997, he became a partner with his son Brett in a business named BLT (“Better Life Technology”) that is a leading manufacturer of garage and specialty flooring.
He loved and cherished his family and friends as he was an active part of their lives. He was an avid sports nut and did whatever it took to win. It was said by one of his close tennis companions “Don never made a bad call….. according to him!”
He is survived by his wife of 48 years Joannie (Schembri) Sneed; son Brett (wife Shelley) Sneed of Lake Quivira; daughters, Christi (husband Mark) Metivier of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and Whitney (husband Scott) Coulson of Lake Quivira; and 8 grandchildren.
Visitation and Funeral Mass
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 11311 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas 66203. Mass will begin at 12:30 p.m. followed by the burial. A celebration of life reception will occur at 4:00 p.m. at Lake Quivira Country Club.
Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Don’s name to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5901 Flint, Shawnee, Kansas 66203 or the Amyloidosis Support Group at www.amyloidosissupport.com 232 Orchard Drive, Wood Dale, Illinois 60191.
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We are left with memories of a special person who had a perpetual smile and optimistic, positive view of anyone and all that he touched.
Our family loved and admired the Sneed family and will go forward with a smile knowing how fortunate we are to have been touched by all the love they represent. Sandy and Dave Tan, Karin, Kristin and Kellie.
Dearest Joannie, Brett, Whitney, Christi and all the rest of your incredible family…
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you and we know that God’s loving arms are surrounding you at this sad time. We are blessed to have known Don…and know of the joy he brought to so many people. It was always evident that he cherished his family….and made friends wherever he went.
May you all feel God’s peace and know that he’s in Awesome Hands at this very moment…..and yet, still very present in your lives….watching over you.
Sincerest condolences,
Laurie & Gerry
How fortunate I am to have had the chance to be part of Joannie and Don’s brief stay in the Villages, Florida. I shall keep the memory of Don’s smile, positive attitude, and “can do” spirit with me. His love of life, pride in his family and enthusiasm for the future remain inspirational.
Joannie, So very sorry for your loss, Don always had a smile and made everyone feel welcome. He was an amazing gentleman. My prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Nancy Kerwin & Mike Morgan
Brett,Whitney,Christi and your family;I have often thought and said that your mom and dad were two of the nicest people I have ever met.
Joannie,know that my heart and prayers are with you and your family for your loss.
Sincerely,
Terry Drennon
Whitney and family,
Our deepest sympathy on the death of your father. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers now and in the days and weeks to come.
Lovingly,
Ev Boutte
Dear joannie and family–We are saddened to learn of don’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Don was absolutely an original. unique, humorous and creative. a true friend to everyone. never a dull moment. he left a lot of stories for us to tell and re-tell. what a gift he was to us!
Steve & Adrienne Melcher
Dear Whitney and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I never got the chance to meet Don, but I know he was well loved and respected by you Whitney. And to raise such an amazing daughter and family, he must have been a great man. Joannie, Brett, Christi and Whitney you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, Elizabeth McLenon and family
Dear Joannie – Don was the nicest, and gentlest of men. We will miss him so much (Steve has endless and wonderful Don Sneed stories). Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Adrienne and Steve
Don is probably one of the most incredible persons I have ever known; memorable is a huge understatement. My sincere condolences to his family and please know that a whole lot of folks will never forget him. Bless you all !
Dear Joannie and family,
Many years ago we were neighbors in Shannon Valley and we always enjoyed Don’s company. It makes us sad that Don will never again run up to one of us at Healthridge to say hello. We will never forget filming the first Spillmaster video while riding in our orange dune buggy. Good times are the best to remember!
Whenever I think of Don, I always have a good feeling, and a return to my childhood and our time together at Hale Cook, and Southwest. I used to go to Don’s house to play and he came to mine. While we didn’t pal around in high school, I always considered him a good friend. What a loss may peace be with you and your family at this trying time.
We were so shocked and sorry about Don.
Don was won of the happiest people we ever knew. I am sure he will be missed by many.
I pray for the recovery of the family.
I will always keep Don in my memory as the easy going fun person he always was.
All my love and prayers,
Val and Allen
I am in Chicago at this time visiting Kristin. I am sorry to miss the memorial service.
Joannie, Nothing I can say can bring Don back, but everything I remember about and shared with and lived with Don wont die. Please believe me he will be remembered in many ways with me and our work and fun won’t die. Very sary Joannie for your loss.
Joannie, Christie, Brett, Whitney…Have known and loved your family for over 40 years. My memories are all wonderful of the times we have shared together. May God’s grace be with you all during this horrific loss. My love and blessings, Pam Alter
Joannie, Christie, Brett, Whitney and family…Have known and loved your family for over 40 years. My memories are all wonderful of the times we have shared together. May God’s grace be with you all during this horrific loss. My love and blessings, Pam Alter
Joannie and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. We will remember Don’s kindness, positive attitude and wonderful smile! You will truly be missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Jeff and Linda Hedges
I am so very sorry for your loss. Too many people are not being diagnosed early enough with the dreaded disease of amyloidosis. I lost my husband in 2004. I understand. Many prayers and blessing for you & your family.
Joannie,
We are so saddened to hear of the loss of Don. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Missy & Melanie and Your Friends at St. Pius X High School
I did not know Don. I just met Joannie on Tuesday, as a substitute at Bridge. I was Barb’s friend. Joannie I just wanted to say how shocked and sadden I was to hear about Don. I will be thinking about you and praying for your strength at this time.
LInda Clevenger
To all of the sweet Sneed Family… I know words cannot take away your pain, but know how very sorry I am to hear of Don’s passing. A true loss for so many. My family has known all of you for many many years and we know Don was such an amazing and giving man. I feel so blessed to have known him. Know that grandma Irene is up in heaven now taking good care of him. Love to all of you during this difficult time.
I felt shock and great sorrow when I learned of Don’s passing. We had just spoken the day before. My heart and prayers go out to his family and those who were close to him. Don, you will be missed!
Doug Holland
Joannie & Brett: Joannie you may not remember, but I worked with you and Don on some of your investments years back and was at your home to discuss some things. We had met a few times at our office as well years ago. I was shocked to hear of this news. I’m so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our Thoughts and Prayers.
Joannie, Christi, Brett, and Whitney
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers go out to you. I have many fond memories of Don in Emporia at the Snead house trying to understand us teenage girls:) but he always kept smiling!
Erin Kramer Melton
Jim and I were so sad to hear about Don. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family. You were very fortunate to have such a close and loving family. May God watch over all of you. We will keep you in our prayers. Love you and be strong. You will all be together some day.
Joannie, Brett, Christie & Whitney,
So many good memories!. Golf stories that are still so funny, especially those tee shots that were obviously headed deep in the woods and Don’s always surprising response, “I think that will be ok”. Sure enough there’s the ball in the middle of the fairway. Never met a more optimistic person than Don!
The fun trips, spring break in the Bahama’s, flying to the Lake of the Ozarks, sharing the condo in FL that week and the many laughs that Don’s good humor brought to us..
.
We all loved Don and will certainly miss his smiling, positive approach to life.
You are a tremendous family! God Bless you!!
Brett…
My deepest sympathy for your family’s loss of your Dad.
May God’s love embrace you and your family during this time of sorrow.
Best regards…
Joannie and Family, Don and I shared many fun times over the years from Hale Cook through Southwest and as adults. I watched Don grow from a zany fun loving young person to a fun loving talented salesman, inventor and businessman. For Don the best part of his life was his family and nurturing wife. My thoughts are with you during this sad time. Kirk
We were absolutely astonished and saddened to hear of Don’s passing. Please know you’ll be in our prayers even more so; we’ll miss Don greatly – his ever positive spirit will live on through love and memories, and we feel greatly blessed to have had the opportunity to have known him. God bless you all, smile and remember great times – he’d probably like that!
All good things,
Don, Michele, and Kaitlyn Weberg, and the team at Garage Style Magazine
Don was a gentleman and a good person! A good tennis player too.
So sorry for your loss. Kurt Jorgensen
A few months ago Don and I shared memories of our highschool days by telephone, and many of the good times we shared. What a wonderfully funny boy and man.
My condolences go out to Don’s family.
Dear Joannie, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know you are surrounded by your family and your faith and that Don is in a good place now. God bless you and yours, Sharon
Joannie, Brett, Christi and Whitney,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Don was such a great man and I’m sure he’ll be dearly missed by many. My memories of him growing up are of a wonderful, kind person who always had a smile on his face. May the wonderful memories you shared together ease you through this difficult time.
Lisa (Miguelino) Duchman
We are so sorry that you have lost a big part of your wonderful family. I am sure you have many fond memories to help you all through this sad time. May God help you fill up your emptiness.
Love,
Dwight and Linda Metcalf
Jennifer and I extend our sympathies Joanie to you and your family.In the time we spent with you and Don. It was exceptional and wish there could have been more. I remember Don competing against our Southeast basketball team and how impressive he played. It was an honor to have known him and our prayers are with you.
Joannie, Breatt, Christy, Whitney and Families,
I am so sorry to hear of Dons passing. I remember, as a child, such a happy, light hearted kind man. Our thoughts and hearts are with you.
Love,
Tracy Herrick
We are so sorry for your loss. Brett I’m so proud you were able to be there with your father, as he was so proud of you and yours.
Our prayers,
Richard and Kathy Evans
Joannie, Brett, Christi and Whitney, I am so very sorry for your loss. I will always remember Don fondly. Please know, my prayers and thoughts are with you, May God bless you with wonderful memories to help the healing process.
God Bless,
Aneta Bodkin
Don has left a blessed legacy for all of us to remember.
Joannie — We are all so very sad to hear of Don’s death. I will always remember his warmth and gentle smile and his pride in watching his children’s successes. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers and hope that the wonderful memories you all share will provide comfort and peace.
Dear Joannie and Family. We offer our heartrfelt sympathy at this time of sorrow. We will keep;Don and your family in our prayers.
Rita and John Jurcyk
Lake Quivra
Joannie, Christi, Brett & Whitney,
I was so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. May the many memories you shared comfort you in the days ahead.
Joannie and family,
We were so shocked and sadden to hear of Don’s passing. We have many fun memories of him and you when you lived in Emporia. May all of your great memories comfort you in the days ahead.
Love,
Debbie and Darrel
Dear Joannie and family,
I was so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Don and I were good friends because of our involvement in basketball. We were teammates in grade school and high school. I remember in grade school he would always win the tip off at center and hit the ball toward the opponents goal. Knowing where he was hitting the ball, I could always catch the ball and go in for an easy lay up.Everyone seems to remember Don’s sense of humor. My grandmother who lived with our family spoke only Japanese but Don could always make her laugh! He had a special grft. My parents would come to all my games and Don was always very courteous and respectful to them. I have fond memories of Don and considered him a true friend. May God bless you during this time of your loss.
Sincerely,
Ron Mirikitani
We were so sorry to read about Don’s passing. We are friends of his from Bally Fitness Center. We often saw one another there and so appreciated Don’s gentle spirit and his interest in us and our lives. His strong faith was evident to us as he was being treated for his health problems. We were in support of him with our prayers. He was a blessing to us. We send our thoughts and prayers to your family as you frieve the loss of your Don. God bless, Jim and Sandy Blair
I was so sorry to learn that Don had passed away. We are never ready to lose these cornerstones in our lives. Don was a classmate from the Southwest High School Class of 1961. It was great to be with him at our recent 50th reunion and reminisce about our friendship and our ties through the music and drama world. Please accept my deepest condolences and know that all of you are in my thoughts.
Joannie,
We were so sorry to hear about Don’s passage. We always enjoyed you both during your time in Emporia. May God be with you at this difficult time.
Jim & Joan
I worked for Don for four years at Better Life Technology, LLC. He was always pleasant to work around. He had a wonderful optimistic attitude. He was a great mentor to me. I am sorry to hear that he as passed away. I wish his family well.