Rev. Donald C. Bakely

Rev. Donald C. Bakely died peacefully at his home in Kansas City, Kansas on January 16, 2016. Don was born August 23, 1928 in Elwood, NJ, the fourth of six children born to Edwin and Madge Bakely. He grew up in Egg Harbor and Hurffville NJ. Don served in the 82nd Airborne Division. He married Jeanne Flagg on September 10, 1949 and adored her for 66 years. Don's call to ministry came early in life and he graduated from Temple University and then was ordained in the New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1955. He served churches in Brooklawn and Camden NJ before coming to Kansas City in 1965 to become Executive Director of Crosslines Cooperative Council, retiring in 1992.

Don was a charismatic speaker and a tireless worker for dignity and hope for those living in poverty. His ability to inspire others to action made a great impact in the Kansas City area and around the region. Don traveled a lot, but when he was home, he made the most of the time he spent with his kids. He wrote two books of poetry and a third dealing with his experiences raising two special-needs children. Don leaves his wife Jeanne and daughter Bethany of the home; sons Paul, Boston, MA, and Peter (Lisa) of North Kansas City; daughters Claudia, Manhattan, KS, and Lois (Dale) Ferguson of Overland Park; daughter-in-law Diane Howell of Kansas City, Kansas; and six grandsons: Steve and Will Lipe, Andrew and Matthew Bakely, and Joel and Seth Ferguson. He was preceded in death by sons Matthew and Stephen, and brothers Wally and Larry Bakely. He also leaves sisters Joyce Higgins, Sicklerville, NJ; Anita Colts, DeLand, FL; and brother Merrill Bakely, Pitman, NJ; and many much beloved nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Services will be held Saturday, January 30 at Bristol Hill UMC, 10:30 a.m. with time to visit following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Cross-Lines Community Outreach or Bristol Hill UMC.