Donald H. Fletcher

Donald H. Fletcher died on February 15, 2026 peacefully at home, completing a life filled with love of family and friends, an accomplished career and service to his community.

Don was born March 2, 1945, the only child of Harvey and Mae Fletcher. He grew up and attended school in Anita, Iowa, where his parents owned and operated the Gambles Hardware store. He was proud of his small-town roots - the values, sensibilities and common sense he developed in childhood served him well throughout his life.

While in high school, Don excelled in sports, competing in football, basketball, baseball and track. Don remained close friends with many of his high school teammates and always had a good story to tell of their winning seasons and high school exploits. His love of sports continued throughout his life and later included a special fondness for golf as well as supporting the Royals, Chiefs and of course, the Liberty Blue Jays.

Don graduated from Drake University with a BS in business in 1967. He joined Hallmark Cards after graduation, and one month later was drafted into the US Army. After he was assigned to Frankfurt Germany, he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Rich, and they began their life together in a tiny, third story walk-up in Frankfurt.

Upon completing his service, Don and Carol settled in Liberty, Missouri where they started their family and had two children, Darin and Kelly. Don was a very proud and loving father, becoming a constant presence in supporting and coaching his kids with Darin playing baseball, football and basketball and Kelly playing volleyball and running track. Don and Carol shared with their children and grandkids a love of travel and family vacations, creating traditions that continue today.

Don was very involved with his community and organizations dear to him. He served on the Liberty Planning and Zoning Commission, as a former president of the Liberty Lions Club and served as president of the Liberty Hospital Foundation Board. He was a member of the Board of Directors at Drake University, serving three years as board president. He also served eight years on the Baker University Board of Trustees and was a lifetime member of Liberty United Methodist Church.

At Hallmark, Don was immensely proud of his 38-year career with the company. While serving as vice-president of product development, he led a complete revamp of the company’s product development process for all U.S. Brands and channels of distribution. A recipient of the J.C. Hall Achievement Award, Hallmark’s highest award, Don retired in 2005 as president of Hallmark North America which included leadership of all aspects of the company’s North American greeting card and gift business.  At Hallmark, he was admired for his passion for the business, his mentorship of young professionals and his encouragement of colleagues to balance family, work and outside activities that help their communities and expand their horizons.

One of Don’s favorite pastimes was spending time at their home in Keystone, Colorado. He could often be found on the deck, watching the sunset on the mountains and listening to the sounds of the river below. He spent much of his years post-retirement cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, biking, golfing and hiking with Carol in the mountains and invited plenty of family and friends to do the same. And if you were lucky to be sitting at his Loose Moose bar, you were often asked to play his wine cork guessing game or enjoy a wine tasting.

He was thrilled to welcome grandchildren into the family and naturally became an amazing, patient, and thoughtful grandfather. He delighted in watching soccer and volleyball games, and while in the mountains - organizing scavenger hunts, ‘throwing rocks in the river’, searching endlessly for golf balls, going for boat rides on the lake, fishing, hiking, and afternoon picnics.

Don is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol, son Darin (Michele), grandsons Ethan, Tate, Harris and Wesley Fletcher, daughter Kelly (Brian) and granddaughter Lilah Ehrenberg.

Visitation will be on February 28th from 9:30 - 11:15 followed by the service at 11:30 at Liberty United Methodist Church, 1001 Sunset Avenue in Liberty, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Don to Liberty United Methodist Church or to Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City.

To view Don's Service via livestream, please visit lumc.online.church and click on the Don Fletcher Memorial link.