Donald Joseph Klein Sr.
Don Klein died on December 22, 2024, in the arms of the cutest girl he ever met after a long battle with cancer. We are grateful he is not suffering anymore and is able to play basketball and tell bad dad jokes again. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles & Leona Klein, and a brother, Jim Klein and is survived by his sister Carol Kerry of St. Louis.
Don was born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 2, 1936. He shared the good memories he had growing up there riding the streetcar, going to Dad’s Cookie Company, attending St. Anthony’s grade school, and playing baseball and basketball. He attended Saint Louis University High School where he excelled in both basketball and baseball, as well as academics. He then attended Rockhurst University in Kansas City on an athletic scholarship where he set the school’s season scoring record as a point guard. Upon graduating he was the 78th pick in the 1958 NBA draft selected by the St. Louis (Atlanta) Hawks and drafted by the Baltimore Orioles as a shortstop. In 1992 he was inducted into the Rockhurst University Athletic Hall of Fame. His picture still hangs in the gym and anytime his kids or grandkids are in Kansas City they make a point to stop in the gym and say hello to their Papa.
Instead of pursuing a career in sports, Don chose to continue his education at the University of Detroit earning a Master’s in Finance. He took a part time job working at nearby Marygrove College and on his first night of work he was tasked with delivering an 18th birthday cake to Julie Hartman of Mount Pleasant. After Julie’s graduation in 1962 they were married. Don continued his studies receiving a DBA, doctorate in business administration, from Michigan State University. Don was an associated professor at St. Louis University. They moved to Grand Rapids in 1973 with their 5 children where Don helped establish the Finance and Accounting graduate program at Grand Valley State College and was instrumental in its growth and expansion for the next 30 years. His former students and fellow faculty created a scholarship in his name. He was also an author, consultant for manufacturing firms, and an avid fisherman.
As a member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church since 1973, Don was a lector, eucharistic minister, school board member and basketball coach among many other things.
Don will be greatly missed by his wife of 62 years, Julie Hartman Klein, and their children: Caroline (Mark Dillon), Donald Jr. (Elizabeth), Mary (Stephen Diesen), Doug (J’Nai), and Dan (Claire). He loved very much his 13 grandchildren who will miss his insistence that any potential suitor present his/her health certificate, financial statement, and psychological evaluation for his approval.
Visitation will be held at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst funeral home, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, Friday, December 27th, from 5:00-7:00 pm. Don’s funeral mass will be celebrated at St Stephen’s Catholic Church, 750 Gladstone Dr SE, East Grand Rapids, MI 49506, at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 28th with visitation from 10:00-10:50 am. Please join us in celebrating Don’s life and legacy.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Donald J Klein Sr. Graduate Endowed Scholarship in Accounting at Grand Valley State University, Right to Life of Michigan, or a charity of your choice.
12 Responses
Julie and Klein family. A wonderful husband, father and Papa. May you all be comforted by the outpouring of love and the memories you hold in your heart. God bless.
May all your fond memories and your faith of knowing you will see him again, someday, bring you comfort during this difficult time. Our prayers are with you as he rejoices in God’s heavenly kingdom!
Hoping wonderful memories, will bring some comfort, to all the family. Hugs and prayers.
To the Klein family. Our dear friends Dan and Claire and children. What a lasting legacy. There is no doubt he was proud of you all and of the love that you share with others. Much love from the Keller’s.
Mrs. Klein, Caroline and all your family,
My condolences and prayers for you. God bless you as you mourn your loss and celebrate the wonderful life he had and legacy he leaves behind.
Maria (Knop) Weber
To Dan and all the Klein family, especially to your mother, Julie: I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you at this difficult time. Loss of a beloved father and grandfather is very hard. To Julie Klein, the loss of your husband, your life partner, the love of your life, after 62 years is the hardest of all. May God surround you and your entire family with guardian angels to comfort and guide you now. And to blanket you with His peace that surpasses all human understanding.
Doug and family- so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I remember fondly all the time spent at your house filming videos for Swani’s class at CC! Our prayers are with you and your family. Tom and Sara
Dan, so very sorry to learn of your loss this week. Prayers for all.
I was a student of Dr. Klein many years ago at GVSU. Not only was he an excellent accounting instructor in sharing his knowledge of all things “accounting,” he was also a kind and caring man. He was concerned about his students complete well being. I was one of the many recipients of this kindness.
My sympathies to his entire family.
Sending so many prayers, hugs and love to you all during this time. What a mark he left on us. Always full of joy and love when we saw him. Being blessed enough to spend some time around him showed me exactly how and why his children and their families became how they are. His earthly presence will be missed but, the way he touched people will forever live on. Lots of love from Alen, Merceides and Laura.
Mrs . Klein and Caroline, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. What an inspiring legacy he has left for you all. I have such great memories of his humor and kindness. Blessings,
Angela ( Bowman ) Spielmaker
Doug and family, my heart breaks hearing of Don’s passing. He was such a good kindhearted man. I had the privilege of working with him in his mfg. Consulting days. Aside from teaching me ways to deal with efficiency , he imparted so much life wisdom that I have never forgotten. He had a deep affect on my life. I have always been thankful that through this, when I needed a competent lawyer that I had faith to reach out to you. God blessed me through knowing you both. Treasure your memories and his wonderful sense of humor and deep faith .
I look forward to the day we all meet again.
Love , Sandy and Gene DeWitt