Don Priest

Charles Donald Priest, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, July 29, 2024 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. He was born November 30, 1934 in Cape Girardeau. He was the third of five children to Charles "Tuck" and Erna Priest. He attended St. Vincent de Paul Grade School and graduated from Central High School in 1952. In 1954 he joined the Army and served one year in the Korean War as a Cryptographic Specialist. After his honorable discharge in 1956 he resumed his studies at Southeast Missouri State University where he graduated with a degree in Accounting in 1958. Prior to the war he met LaVonna Sue Leasure while working as a bellhop at the Marquette Hotel. After his return from service they married on May 30,1958 at Old St. Vincent Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau. He started his career as an accountant with A.C. Brase and spent the better part of his more than 50-year career at the firm of Stanley, Dirnberger, Hopper and Associates LLC, where he retired in 2017. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, the Elks, and Kimbeland Country Club. He will always be remembered as an avid SEMO Indian fan! He is survived by his sister, Mary Helbig of Fenton; his three daughters, Lisa A. (Ray) Reinagel and A. Suzanne (Larry) Eftink both of Kelso, Missouri and Krissi D. (Chris) Davis of Cape Girardeau; and a son, Mark D. Priest of Raleigh, North Carolina. He was a grandfather to 12 grandchildren, Lindsay Reinagel and Lauren (Jayden) Pobst; Clayton Eftink, Whitney (David) Rule and Hunter (Allie) Eftink; Ashley, Allison and Andrew Priest; Jackson and Karsyn Andrews and Charleigh and Quinn Davis. He is a great-grandfather to seven great-grandchildren; Blakely and Kannon Pobst, Knox Reinagel, Briar Crowden, Lettie and Beau Eftink and Eli Smith. He was preceded in death by his wife, LaVonna "Sue" Priest; his two brothers, Jack and Jerry; and sister, Jo Ellen Priest. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel with Parish Prayers at 7:00 PM, followed by the rosary. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM Friday, August 2, 2024 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Pastor Rick Jones officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau following the funeral Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.

Tributes

Don Priest

November 30, 1934 - July 29, 2024