Donald Eugene Isham

Donald Eugene Isham passed away peacefully on March 30, 2024. At his side were his three children, Linda, Rick, and Lori. After suffering from Parkinson’s disease, he is now whole again as he is with his wife Connie, who passed 2 years earlier. Don will be greatly missed.

Don was born August 9, 1936, in Bucyrus, Kansas to his parents Jay and Hazel (Meek) Isham. He was the third of 4 children. The family lived in various farm communities around the Kansas City area. Don graduated from Grandview High School in 1955. He met Connie Lou Chesnut and they were married on August 24th, 1956. They started a family with a daughter, Linda born in 1957, Rick in 1960, and Lori in 1963. Don and Connie ensured that the family was highly involved in their church activities and attended virtually all weekly services and yearly camps. 

Don was employed most of his career with the United States Postal Service. He worked his way up from a letter carrier to being the Director of Plant Maintenance at the main post office in Topeka, KS. He was very proud to have attained an Associates of Arts degree from Johnson County Community College later in life. Don and Connie built a very successful Amway distribution business beginning in the 1970s. They achieved the level of Diamond Direct Distributor which allowed them to retire from their previous careers. They enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and the world with their friends and family. 

He served as a lay minister in the Community of Christ and was the pastor at Topeka Central Congregation for several years. As an evangelist, he had a gift of prayer. Even in the last few days of his life, he would pray with his family and caregivers at the memory care facility.

Don is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Connie (Chesnut) Isham, his parents Jay and Hazel Isham, his brother Paul (JoAnne) Isham, his sister Wanda Gathercole. He is survived by his children, Linda (Karl) Lavender of Leawood, KS, Rick (Sandy) Isham of Leawood, KS, Lori (Todd) Piepergerdes of Lee’s Summit, MO, brother Ray (Nancy) Isham of Conroe, TX, along with 8 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Grandview Community of Christ, 12600 Byars Road, Grandview, MO 64030, on May 5, 2024 at 1:00p.m.  In lieu of flowers, make contributions in honor of Don Isham to Grandview Community of Christ Bakery Fund, 12600 Byars Road, Grandview, MO 64030. Don was helpful in volunteering with the bakery over the last several decades.