Robert E. "Bob" Douglas

Robert E. "Bob" Douglas, age 90, of Lamar, passed away Thursday, Sept. 18, at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin.

Bob was born Sept. 28, 1917 in Lamar, the third son of Leonard and Mary (Lang) Douglas. He graduated from Lamar High School in 1935 and worked for Three Brothers Supply Store and Elgin Dermott Motors until his induction into the U.S. Army on Dec. 7, 1942. He served on Adak in the Aleutian Islands and Camp Croft, South Carolina. While on leave from Camp Croft, Bob came home to Lamar to marry the love of his life, Eileen Duffy on June 13, 1944. He was discharged in 1945, and they returned to Lamar and Bob's job with Elgin Dermott. He then received a direct commission as a 2nd Lieutenant from the Missouri National Guard and worked at Camp Clark in Nevada, the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office in Jefferson City, and served three tours of duty in the Pentagon. After more than 30 years of military service, Bob retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1979.

In his retirement years, Bob revitalized the Barton County Historical Society and Museum, serving as its president for the past 30 years. He was an active member of Lamar United Methodist Church where he served as Historian and taught Sunday school class. A tireless worker in his community, Bob received the Chamber of Commerce Truman Award and Volunteer Spirit Award, Community Betterment President's Award and the D.A.R. Medal of Honor.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Eileen, of the home; a daughter, Suzanne Dennison, Jefferson City, Missouri; his grandson, Bart Douglas Phipps; two great grandchildren, Dakota Wayne and Bridget Eileen; and a sister, Thelma "Sue" Smith, Banning, California. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim Douglas and Dr. Joe Douglas; a sister, Wilma "Billie" Norwood, and a son-in-law, Wm. Reed Dennison.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until service time. Honoring Bob's wishes, his body has been cremated and burial will be in Lake Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Lamar United Methodist Church or Barton County Historical Society, in care of Daniel Funeral Home.