August 13, 1934-June 29, 2026
Donald Duane Hobbs of Prairie Village, KS passed away peacefully at Kansas City Hospice House early Monday June 29, 2026 after a brief illness. Don was born in Brimson, MO to Harley Jackson Hobbs and Eva Mendenhall Hobbs on August 13, 1934.
He is survived by his wife Donna Harrell Hobbs, Prairie Village, KS; nephew Danny Gannan (Virginia), Oologah, OK; nephew Larry Gannan (J.C.), Tulsa, OK; niece Connie Douglass (Tom), Edmond, OK; and niece Joyce Summerhill, Sand Springs, OK. He is also survived by two cousins: Harold Dean Hobbs of Pleasant Valley, MO and Robert Mendenhall (Donna) of Cameron, MO. In addition, Don is survived by his brother-in-law Michael Harrell (Renarda), Greensburg, KS and nephews Dustin Harrell and Brent Harrell (Angela) all of Goddard, KS. Other survivors include numerous great nieces and nephews, as well as many dear friends and neighbors.
Don graduated from Trenton High School and Trenton Junior College. He served in the United States Army in Germany during the Korean War and returned to graduate from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO.
The majority of Don's career was spent teaching industrial arts at Shawnee Mission South High School; drafting and woodworking were his favorite subjects. He enjoyed passing on creative thinking and skills to his students. He put those skills to work when he designed and built his vacation house at Tablerock Lake. When he retired, he divided his time between volunteering at the Village Presbyterian Food Pantry and working as a general handyman and craftsman. He also used his time to hone his cooking skills to the delight of family and friends.
A man of diverse interests, Don enjoyed dancing, building, gardening and traveling. He had visited nearly every country in Europe and loved a classic road trip. He was a fan of mystery novels and classical guitar music. He kept up on politics religiously, making sure he read several sources to get as many angles as he could, but always leaned to the left. More than anything, Don loved a party and had a talent for throwing a good one! Patio joke fests, garden deck hang outs, New Year's Eve celebrations, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, any lunar or solar event, right down to his 90th birthday blowout—he was in his element. He loved to share stories and hear others do the same.
There will be a graveside service at a later date to scatter Don's ashes at a small country cemetery where four generations of his family rest. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Don's honor to HARVESTERS, 3801 Topping Ave, Kansas City, MO 64129 www.harvesters.org or a charity of your choice.
