Daniel Joseph Jacobs, age 70, passed away August 13th, 2017 while vacationing with family on his beloved island, Hilton Head, SC. Daniel was born February 24th, 1947 in Kansas City, MO and was an area resident his entire life. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Joseph Jacobs and mother Norma Jean Morrow, as well as his fraternal and maternal grandparents. Daniel is survived by his lifelong partner and best friend, Charles Ed Weiser, ex-wife Susan Kay (Wagner) Jacobs to which five beautiful children were born, Christian Tyler Jacobs, Merri Patience Jacobs-Byrd and wife Katye, Marcus J. Oliver Jacobs and significant other Courtney Cowell, Whitney deAnn Jacobs and Melanie Caroline (Jacobs) Haniyea and husband Tony; sister JoAnnette (Jacobs) Self and brother Douglas Joseph Jacobs; eight grandchildren who were the glimmer of his eye, Aiden and Mikayla Jacobs, Amera, Gabriel and Adam Haniyea, Scout Jacobs, and the lights of his life Alec and Cora Jacobs. Daniel devoted his life to his family and work, which began in the mail room of Kansas City Power & Light while in high school and ended 43 years later when he retired from that very company as a customer service representative. Alongside of his greatest achievements of being a devoted father and grandfather, Daniel was the founder of Student Outfits and Supplies, which later was better known as the "Green Bag Project." His most fond and notable accomplishment was creating "Christmas Families, Inc.", "Red Bag Project" which provided holiday gifts for hundreds of foster children and wards of the court children every year. Daniel was known as "Mr. Christmas" being highlighted in an interview with Tom Brokaw, NBC Nightly News, as well as 'Family Circle Magazine' for his contributions to the community. He was also well-known in all of his neighborhoods as "Santa Clause" after dressing as Santa and running from yard to yard proclaiming, "Merry Christmas." Daniel was recognized with many prestigious awards, some which included, "A Thousand Points of Light" given by President George H.W. Bush; "Spirit of KC Volunteer of the Year" for the State of Missouri; "Volunteer of the Year" for Overland Park, KS; and many others too numerous to mention. Visitation will be held from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Friday, August 18th, at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd. Funeral Mass will be 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 19th, at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, 2 East 75th St., Kansas City, MO 64114. Burial will follow in Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

Published in Kansas City Star on Aug. 16, 2017