Bobbie Joe Mingo

(From Parker Mortuary)

Bobbie Joe Mingo, age 62, Joplin, passed away at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, after an illness.

Bobbie was born February 9, 1953 in Denver, Colorado and had lived in Joplin most of his life.

He attended Joplin schools and graduated from the former Memorial High School, where he excelled in several sports, including football; basketball and track. He went on to play football at Missouri Southern State College and received his degree in Sociology.

Bobbie was a veteran of the United States Army, serving as a medic and was the top athletic recruit in his class at Fort Leonard Wood.

He worked for several companies, including Kansas City Southern and Pacific Railroad. He retired due to ill health.

Bobbie loved his family-he loved kids. No one was ever a stranger. He lived in several different places, but always came back home to Joplin, Missouri.

He married Cynthia Lankford in March of 1999. She survives at the home.

Additional survivors include two sons, Robert Anderson, Oroville, California, Gabe Sharp, Joplin; a daughter, Tiffany McCarter, Oroville, California; his father, Theodore R. Johnson, Joplin; three brothers, Larry Johnson and his wife, Mary, Joplin, Teddy Johnson and his wife, Barbara, Joplin, Gary ‘Cat’ Johnson and his wife, Wendy, Joplin; four grandchildren and several extended family members.

Bobbie was preceded in death by his mother, Elle Ree Johnson; and numerous nieces; nephews and grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at Byers Avenue United Methodist Church. Rev. George Triplett and Rev. Willie Rogers, Jr. will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for funeral expenses.

The family would like to thank everyone for the many prayers received the last few months of his sickness. They would also like everyone to know that they will be eating lunch at the Golden Corral following the services.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.