Roger Donnell

Roger Wayne Donnell, 71, of Gladstone, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at KU Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas. He was born on July 24, 1954, in Clinton, Missouri , a son of Roy Wilmer and Vivian Lorene (Miller) Donnell.

He was baptized at the First United Methodist Church in Cole Camp. Roger grew up as a town kid and honed his skills in street ball. He stayed busy shooting hoops with neighbor kids or putting together a group of kids to play a baseball game. Roger graduated from the Benton County R-1 High School with the Class of 1972 and remained very close with his class. While in high school, he was known to have put up 46 points in one game and that was before there was a three-point line.
In 1983, he was united in marriage to Ellen Jean Stratton at the First United Methodist Church in Cole Camp. This union was blessed with the gift of two children: Megan Elizabeth and Bradley Warren. For forty-six years, the couple made their home in Gladstone, where he was an assistant general manager of cow hide sales at DarPro Solutions.

Following in his dad's footsteps, Roger enjoyed researching genealogy, studying history, gardening, watching old westerns on television, and relaxing. He had a love for visiting with old friends, trying to keep up with his grandchildren, and watching basketball, especially girls basketball. He never missed a chance to come home to Cole Camp and stay in the house he grew up in.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen Donnell of the home; his daughter, Megan Allen and Derek of Liberty; his son, Bradley Donnell and Catherine of Gladstone; his sister, Janet Donnell Smith and Bill of Jefferson City; and three grandchildren, Benton Lee Richard Allen, Becket William Donnell, and Sarah Elizabeth Donnell.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Vivian Donnell.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Old Gymnasium at the Benton County R-1 School, Cole Camp with Pastor Jason Veale officiating. Burial will be in Cole Camp Cemetery near Cole Camp. Pallbearers will be Steve Holmes, Steve Pritzel, Robert Farrington, Kevin Williams, Danny Schnell, Lloyd Heisterberg, and Leon Stelling.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Saturday at the school.
Memorial contributions may be given to Cole Camp Museum or Cole Camp Swimming Pool in care of the Fox Funeral Home, Cole Camp. Online condolences may be left at www.foxfuneralhomecolecampmo.com.