Donald Eugene (Snoop) Muder passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 4th.
A lifelong citizen of Kansas City, Kansas, Don was born to Margie A. (Moss) and John A. Muder in 1933. He grew up in the Bethel area of Wyandotte County, where he attended Hazel Grove Elementary and Christ the King. An outstanding athlete at Washington High School, he won a gold medal at the Kansas Relays and was a state gold medalist in the shot put. He was heavily recruited as a 220-lb tackle into the Kansas State Wildcats football program, where he played for two years. Though offered a tryout with the Green Bay Packers, he opted for wedding bells instead of coaches' whistles and married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Lou Blair, to whom he remained married till her passing.
Don partnered with his brother at Bell Floor Covering after leaving K-State. The successful business thrived for 66 years, evolving from a local shop into a massive regional installer. At its peak, the Muder brothers managed a sprawling fleet of white vans and 40 union installers. Their iconic bright red neon Bell sign welcomed everyone to Victory Drive. Don's expertise and fair business practices garnered many long-term relationships throughout the metro area. He was dedicated and hard-working, managing the store until he retired at the young age of 86.
After Betty and Don married, their family quickly grew, welcoming a daughter and two sons within four years and rounding out the family with a third son five years later. This prompted Don to move his family to a larger home near Parallel. For the next 60 years, that house became a family hub for holiday meals and events, with Don often sneaking the turkey to the laundry room for uninterrupted carving. Epic Christmas Eve parties were anticipated by children and adults alike, with presents overflowing under the tree and cocktails flowing freely at the basement bar.
When not working, Don packed the family and 2 grandmas into the car for long drives to the Rockies. He loved the mountains and instilled that love for them in his family. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing at Perry Lake and Wyandotte County Lake. His hunting prowess was well known, and he cherished going quail and pheasant hunting at the farm and in South Dakota. In quiet hours, he could be found working in his shop, reading a book, or listening to jazz.
Sitting on the deck in Port Aransas sipping on a gin and juice in the 90's earned Don a nickname that he embraced. Soon his white Bell Floor Covering work truck sported a Snoop plate, and he would announce his arrival with "Snoop is in the house!" Though a man of few words, those uttered brought smiles to everyone nearby.
He made friends easily and enjoyed attending local sporting events. He loved taking his boys to All-Star Wrestling matches at Memorial Hall in the 60's. Then, as an original Chief season-ticket holder, to football games at Municipal Stadium and later Arrowhead, where he and Betty were fixtures 22 rows back on the 50-yard line of the visiting team. He and Betty were also frequent visitors at Allen Fieldhouse for KU basketball games with his daughter and youngest son and their spouses.
He was a great grandpa, always willing to help to build things, celebrate birthday parties, and travel anywhere his grandkids were playing. He could make anything, devising tools from hangers and carving baseballs from wood. He showed up.
Don is survived by his children: Susan (Keith) Brown, Mitchell (Phyllis) Muder, Daniel Muder, and Christopher (Laurie) Muder; and his 7 grandchildren: Kyle (Joanna) Brown, Courtney (Steven) Shondell, Sean (Leah) Muder, Chase (Taylor) Muder, Kelsey (Cory) Burton, Dutch (Linnea) Muder, Blair Muder; and 13 Great-grandchildren.
“Laid back...
With my mind on my money
And my money on my mind.”
A private family service will be held on Saturday, June 13th at Porter Funeral Home at 9:30 am, followed by a private burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery at 11:00 am. A Celebration of Life open house will be held at the home of his grandson Kyle Brown at 2:00 pm.