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BORN
1943
DIED
2022
Don Early Obituary
January 4, 1943 - August 6, 2022
Kansas City, Missouri - Don A. Early, 79, of Kansas City, MO, passed from this life on Saturday, August 6, 2022, surrounded by family and his beloved dog, Duke.
Don was born January 4, 1943, to Floyd and Nellie Early. A native of Kansas City, his athletic skills in basketball and baseball won him a scholarship to attend Pembroke Country Day School (now Pembroke Hill). Then he was recruited to play basketball at the University of Missouri, Columbia and graduated with a degree in business administration in 1966. Upon the culmination of his basketball career, Don became an avid tennis player and then golfer where he followed "Don's happy rules of golf." A naturally gifted athlete, he loved to share tips and wisdom with other players.
A born entrepreneur, Don loved ideas and opportunities. He founded Educational Services in 1983, Mr. Good Rents in 1984, and Quik Cash (now QCHI) in 1989, where he served as Chairman of the Board until his death. QCHI became a public company in 2004 and currently employs more than 1,000 people. Don's entrepreneurial spirit led to much success in business, and he was always humbled and honored to provide opportunities for others to do the same.
Above all else, Don loved the Lord. He made it a priority to begin and end every day reading the Bible and praying. Don modeled this love to his family by his unwavering patience, kindness, and charity. Don was a devoted husband, lavishing affection on his wife, Mary Lou. Together they built a company, a family, and a life grounded in faith, and filled with love, joy, kindness, and peace.
Don is survived by his wife Mary Lou; children Shannon LeMay (Lance), Allison Bloch (Brian), Daniel Andersen (Rod), Laura Kinney (John), Darrin Andersen (Jill), Melissa Carter (Andrè), and Aimee Minnich (Marshall); as well as 17 grandchildren.
Visitation Friday, August 12, 2022 at 12pm to 1pm at Christ Church Anglican, 5500 W 91st St, Overland Park, KS 66207. Funeral Service to follow at 1pm. Burial at Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO 64131.
Memorial donations may be made to Elam Ministries, USA, 5755 North Point Parkway, Suite 217, Alpharetta, GA 30022, www.elam.givingfuel.com, or Wayside Waifs, 3801 Martha Truman Rd, Kansas City, MO 64137. Flowers may be sent to Christ Church Anglican, 5500 W 91st St, Overland Park, KS 66207. Livestream link for service: https://vimeo.com/event/2341956/ed929e14dd
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Don Early
Sponsored by Kansas City Star.
Allen Aldridge
October 13, 2022
I attended Whittier Elementary school with Don. He was obviously more talented in sports than any of the rest of us. He was a friend to everyone. The last time I saw Don was when I was competing in a swim meet at Northeast Junior high in KCMO. I took first place in my event, but the highlight of the swim meet was when Don came up to me and complemented me on my win. He was a fantastic person and will be missed by all!
Mike Thiessen
August 14, 2022
Don and I had the good fortune to have one of the best high school basketball coaches ever in Kansas City, Ed Ryan. Both being scholarship kids at Pem Day we often discussed how fortunate we were to attend such a school and how important Coach Ryan was in our development as basketball players and in much more important ways as well.
Being four years younger than Don I had the additional advantage of learning from him, one of the best and most competitive human beings I have ever known.
During my first year at Pem Day, my sophomore year, in December of 1962, in one practice scrimmage in which Don participated while he was home from Missouri for Christmas vacation, I learned how to really play basketball, the Don Early approach to competition.
To say he was pretty rough on me is an understatement. By no means dirty, simply hardnosed. In those few moments my approach to competition changed dramatically.
During a break in the scrimmage, as I was sitting down holding my ribs and trying to catch my wind (he had knocked the wind out of me blocking me out) he sat down next to me, put his arm around me, told me that although he might have been a little too rough, if I learned to play the way he played I could be a really good player. I never forgot his encouragement and advice. I could tell he really cared, helping me benefit from lessons he had already learned the hard way.
As the years passed I thanked Don for that lesson every time our paths crossed which was not nearly often enough.
Despite telling him this numerous times over the years I do not think Don understood how important he and those few moments were and continue to be to me. I can only imagine how many other people benefited from simply knowing Don.
I may not be able to thank Don again, but I want his family to know of a person who not only benefited from knowing Don, but who genuinely cherishes the memories of their husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, etc.
Mike Thiessen
JANENE DAVIS
August 12, 2022
I MET DON ( AND MARY LOU) THRU MY JOB AND ALWAYS THOUGHT HE WAS SUCH A KIND MAN. HE WAS SOFT SPOKEN IT SEEMED BUT SUCH A SWEET AND GENTLE MAN. HE WILL BE MISSED! I DEAL WITH ALOT OF GRUMPY PEOPLE AND ITS SO REFRESHING TO HAVE PATIENTS THAT ARE KIND. PRAYING FOR THE FAMILY, MAY GOD KEEP YOU IN THIS TIME AND COVER YOU WITH HIS PERFECT PEACE....
Stephen Hinkhouse
August 12, 2022
I sure enjoyed my friendship with Don. There are very few people in my life who equal the kindness and loyalty that Don exhibited endlessly with his friends. I am proud to have been in Don and Mary Lou´s circle of friend.
Lynne Gorman Berentson
August 11, 2022
Don was such an important part of my life growing up in Kansas City, helping shape who I am today. My heart goes out to Mary Lou and her family with my deepest sympathy. Don will always be with you.
Jeff Land
August 10, 2022
An incredible person and athlete.
We bought our very first property
in 1978 and he taught everything
to know about buying real estate.
He was brilliant and shared it well.
All love and prayers for his family.
JD
Strat Overton
August 9, 2022
RIP Duke. You had a great run!
Strat
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