Donald V. Carlile

Topeka KS ˜ Donald Vernon Carlile, 82, former Liberal resident of Liberal, KS, died at his home in Topeka, KS, November 16, 2010.˜ He was born August 2, 1928 in Liberal, KS to Jack T. & Myrtle Black Carlile. Don married Phyllis Marie Ferguson May 13, 1951 at Clayton, NM, she survives.˜ He also is survived by three sons, Steve Carlile an wife Pat, Albuquerque, NM;˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜ Jack Carlile and wife Chris, Liberal, KS;˜ Terry Carlile, Topeka, KS; Connie carlile, Joplin, MO; Susan Barker, Kansas City, KS; ˜ten grandchildren & twelve great-grandchildren. ˜ Don was an entrepreneur and owned owned several businesses throughout his residency in Liberal.˜ In 1991, he moved to Topeka when Governor Joan Finney, appointed him as Director of Transportation of the Kansas Corporation Commission where he served for over seven years. ˜ Don had a lifelong passion for baseball and embraced the sport though many avenues. As Director and President of the Jayhawk League for many years he was instrumental in promoting semi-pro baseball and the Boys of Summer. From 1955 until 1991, he actively supported and worked tirelessly with the Liberal BeeJays were he held numerous positions from Chairman of the Board to General Manager.˜ His primary contribution throughout the nation was working with college coaches and major league scouts throughout the nation to put together the winning teams that made the BeeJays one of the top semi-pro teams of the nation. In 1984, he received the Jack Carlile Director of the Year Award which was named after his father.˜ Don was an˜ active member of the American Baseball Congress Coaches Association over thirty years. The National Baseball Congress awarded him the first Raymond "Hap" Dumont Award for an individual in the summer of 1985.˜ In 1993, Don formed the Topeka Capitals with the assistance of Jim Callaway, then President of Southwestern Bell and a former BeeJay. ˜ Don was very active in the Kansas Democratic Party. During his active years in Kansas politics, he worked tirelessly in the successful gubernatorial campaigns for Robert˜ Docking, Joan Finney and Kathleen Sebelius.˜ Don also made the acquaintances of four United States˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜ Presidents and was active in the presidential campaigns of Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Jimmy Carter.˜ Governor Robert Docking appointed him to˜ the Water Resources Board in 1969, where he˜˜˜ served as a Director and Chairman until 1978. During his tenure with the Board, he was instrumental in the approval and construction of the Clinton Dam and Lake Project located in Lawrence, KS by the Army˜ Corps of Engineers. ˜ Don continuously championed the needs to Western Kansas' agriculture, highways and Oil & gas industries through various associations with national, state and local political representatives. ˜ Funeral services will conducted 10 A.M. Saturday at the Central Christian Church, Liberal, KS, with Pastor Chuck Scroggs presiding. ˜ Interment will be in the Liberal Cemetery. ˜ Friends may call at the Miller Mortuary˜ 5-7 P.M. Friday. ˜ There will be a memorial service in Topeka at Southwest Christian Church 2:00 P.M. Tuesday November 23, 2010. ˜˜ In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a favorite charity in care of the mortuary. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donald V. Carlile please visit our Sympathy Store.