Donald L. Schmidt, 78, Harrisonville, MO died Saturday, September 8, 2018 at his home in Harrisonville. A Celebration of Life Service was held Saturday, September 15, 2018 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville.   In lieu of flowers please make donations to http://www.cancercare.org/

Don was born October 15, 1939 in El Dorado Springs, MO, a son of Alfred and Delilah (Cyrus) Schmidt.  He grew up farming and attended school in El Dorado Springs and joined the Army when he turned eighteen.  After his military service, Don returned to El Dorado Springs and worked for the county, road grading, before he started working for a roofing company in Kansas City.  He moved to Harrisonville in 1971 and while working for a roofing company in Kansas City he founded D-W-R Roofing Company. He later purchased Land Roofing Co. in 1980 and blended both companies together.

Don was a member of Local # 20, Roofers Union, Kansas City, MO, was a charter member of the Cass County Elks Lodge, and was a U.S. Army Veteran.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Courtney Michelle Schmidt, his first wife, Ruth and four brothers, Harold, Howard, Wilburn, and Eldon.  He is survived by a son, Russell Don Schmidt, Harrisonville; three daughters, Wanda Christine Parham (Jeff), Harrisonville, Delilah Marie Schmidt, Harrisonville, and Danielle Dawn Schmidt, Kansas City, MO; his former wife of twenty five years, Deborah Ann Schmidt, Overland Park, KS; a sister, Ella Mae Fairchild, Sedalia, MO, and Carole Carey, his devoted lady friend; eight grandchildren, Jacob Don Schmidt (Andi), Dustin Roe Parham (Becky), Samantha Renee Fletcher (Brent), Danielle Leanne Parham, Jordan Raye Adams, Hailey Ann Marie Schmidt, Isabelle Dawn Adams, and Kenzie Michelle Jane Adams, four great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Don was an extraordinary person. He was kind, generous, honest, respectful, loyal, witty, and a friend to everyone he met.  He learned early in life to work honest and work hard which he did his entire life.  Always the life of the party wherever he went, his zest for life knew no boundaries.  He could continually come up with jokes, songs, or dancing a little jig at any time to entertain anyone.  He could sit down and have a serious conversation imparting honesty and wisdom when it was needed.  His generosity in helping others was selfless and endless.

Always a devoted father, he was also a beloved husband, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle to his family. He was an inspiration to many and a blessing to know.  He touched the lives of everyone he ever met and always left wonderful memories to remember him.