Donald Mann

Donald Mann, 81, of Independence, MO, passed away February 4, 2020.  Services will be on Thursday, February 13th at Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, MO, with visitation at 12:00 p.m., Memorial service at 1:00 p.m., followed by Inurnment with Military Honors in Woodlawn Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 6800 W 93rd St., Overland Park, KS 66212.

Donald was born October 26, 1938 in Stanberry, MO to Clifford & Helen (Wilson) Mann. He served 2 years in the U.S. Army and was stationed Ft. Carson, CO.  Donald owned and operated Mann Speed Specialty for 48 years.  He was a King City, MO High School graduate. Donald was King City High School Football 1956-1957 Missouri All Conference.  He was a winning Marksman on the U.S. Army shooting team and made the front cover of the Army’s Stars & Stripes Magazine. He was also a winning national drag racer and set 57 National records in the American Hot Rod Association Drag Racing.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Linda Mann; and sister, Dixie Brown.

He is survived by 2 sons: Eric Mann and Dana Mann (Julia), both of Independence, MO; 1 grandson, Ryan Mann; 3 granddaughters: Megan Mann, Katilynn Stevens, and Jessica McCannon; 1 great-granddaughter, Hadlee; and 1 sister, Delores Kline.

Arrangements:  Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO   816-690-4441

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Miriam (Pugh) Matzeder

    29 Sep 2020 Reply

    So grateful to Don Mann because he was a friend to my father, Jim. My dad rented space in the shop in the 80’s, and after I started driving, I would visit my dad at the shop often. I’m so sorry I never made it up there to visit after all these years. My son has, though, and I know he always enjoys time spent with the guys over there (Don, Ed, and Don’s kids). I remember when I was a little girl, my Dad telling me Don’s little boy could take an engine apart and put it back together. Jim later ran BP Machine Service on 24 Hwy. He named it BP after something one of Don’s kids said at the shop one day. May Don rest in peace, with enormous gratitude for the help and friendship he offered us, and may his family find comfort in their memories of him. – Miriam (Pugh) Matzeder

  2. Jeffery L davis

    18 Jul 2021 Reply

    I am so sorry, to hear that Don had passed away after all these years. He was a great inspiration to a lot of us even as we grew up. I remember spending Saturday afternoon in the shop with Don and his family. My father knew Don, for many years. And Don’s sister Dixie and Mervin Brown. They too were great people. I drive by the shop many times on Truman road wondering if they were still in there working cuz they did for so many years. Don was a big part of the success of i-70 speedway. I can remember when I 70 speedway was built and seeing Don working with some of the race drivers. And watched when his sons raced at i-70 speedway. My brother’s asked Don, how much it would cost to build a fast engine. Don simply replied how fast do you want it to go. Thank you for the wonderful memories and thank you for being the person you were Don.