Paul David Mahaffie

Paul David Mahaffie, 67, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the Olathe Medical Center. He was born on March 24, 1954 in Olathe, Kansas to Paul and Jessie Louise (Downing) Mahaffie.

Dave was born at the Olathe Community Hospital in Olathe, KS. Dave grew up in his family home on Oak street with his sister and two brothers. His childhood was filled with Babe Ruth League baseball games with his father as coach. Dave attended Olathe High School with the Class of '72, later joining the Navy in 1974.

Dave worked on the USS Halsey as a barber and played for the Navy softball team as pitcher and second base. He left the Navy in 1977 and lived in Hawaii for a brief period, then ultimately moved back to Kansas in 1977 and married Cathy Foster in 1978. The young couple chose to start their family in Dave's hometown of Olathe Kansas, a town where the Mahaffie family roots run deep as some of the earliest documented settlers of the area. As Dave and Cathy raised their family, Dave worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service for 25 years, retiring in 2002.

In more recent years, Dave worked as a custodian for the Gardner School District at Nike Elementary. Playing his 70s playlist throughout the halls, while getting the classrooms ready for the next day of learning. This position allowed Dave to spend time enjoying one of his great life's passions. Golf. He played regularly with his brother Dwayne, Sons-in-law, and friends at Gardner Golf Course. Dave's claim to fame is having made two separate hole-in-ones over the years on what was formerly hole number 13.

The only thing that meant more to Dave than his love of golf, KU basketball, the Chiefs, and the Kansas City Royals was his love for his kids and grandkids. Spending Saturday nights listening to music with the whole family gave Dave great enjoyment. He was also famous for taking his grandkids to a breakfast of their choice with Papa Dave every year, for each grandchild for their birthday. They loved him with all their hearts for it, many of them planning it for weeks leading up to the big day.

Dave had planned on retiring at the end of 2021, but unfortunately was not able to see the next chapter in his life become reality.

Dave is survived by his children, Devin Mahaffie, Dana and Brian Szala, Deena and Nick Rawie, Sister Vicky Mahaffie, brother Dwayne Mahaffie, former wife and close friend of 25 years Cathy (Foster) Mahaffie. Dave is also survived by his Nephews Robbie Phegley, Scott Phegley, Greg Mahaffie CA, and niece Kristin Mendoza, CA, and his 7 grandkids, Tyler Szala, TX, Dylan Bell, WA, Vivian Mahaffie, Brooklyn Rawie, Bella Mahaffie, Madelyn Rawie, and Maggie Mahaffie KS.

He is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Louise Mahaffie, as well as his youngest brother Michael Allen Mahaffie.

The family will receive friends for a visitation from 1:00 to 2:00pm on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Penwell Gabel's Olathe Chapel, followed by the memorial service at 2:00 pm. To honor Dave's memory, the family has asked everyone to sport their favorite sports team attire, KU obviously preferred.

To view the funeral service, click on the button below:





To leave a message of condolence for Dave's family or to share a special memory of Dave, please visit the guestbook below.