Bob Hemphill

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Robert Gene “Bob” Hemphill, age 84, passed away peacefully at home at 6:40 am, Wednesday, November 7, 2018, surrounded by his loving wife and daughter.

He was born July 17, 1934 in Joplin, where he spent most of his childhood. He then graduated from Linwood High School in Linwood, California.

Following high school he entered the U S Army in 1953 and was stationed in Germany from 1953 – 1955 during the Korean conflict.

Bob began his professional career as an electrical products salesman working for various companies throughout the Midwest. As a self-starter, he owned and operated the Bob Hemphill Company in Kansas City and Joplin for 9 years from 1989 until his retirement in 1998, covering a sales territory across Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Bob was Baptist by faith. He had been a member of the Masonic Lodge for 62 years. He was also a member of the Ararat Shrine, Kansas City and the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine and VFW in Joplin. He enjoyed fishing, researching genealogy and spending time with grandsons. Staying true to his years on the road, he liked to be on the go visiting friends and family after retirement.

Bob is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda Kay (Olds) Hemphill.

Additional survivors include one daughter, Carrie Hemphill West (Joel), Sioux Falls, SD; one son, Jason Gaskill (Debbie), Webb City, MO; four grandchildren, Tucker West, Lucas West, Alex Gaskill, and Eriq Kristek; and two step-brothers, Larry Hemphill and Joe Hemphill, of California.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Dixie (Watson) Fugate, step-father, Joe Hemphill, and two daughters, Lisa Gay and Jennifer Ann Hemphill.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 am, Monday, November 12, 2018 at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS. Burial will be in Osborne Memorial Cemetery, Joplin, MO.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 – 5:00 pm, Sunday, November 11, 2018 at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS.

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