On December 25th, 1936, Dora Jane Bass (Chapman) was brought into this world. After looking upon his work, the Lord promptly broke her mold into a thousand tiny pieces, never to be used again. Through a long, well-lived life, Dora Jane brought a sharp wit and kind heart to all those that knew her. On May 18th, 2020, Dora Jane left this life for eternal adventures, and our lives have been left a little bit quieter.
Dora Jane was born at the home of her parents, James and Geneva Chapman. She was the third of four children, and was a consummate daddy's girl. Dora Jane attended Ritchey Grade School, Midway High School, and graduated from Diamond High School in 1953, where she excelled in her studies and was a cheerleader.
It was around this time that Dora Jane, while on a double date with her boyfriend at the time, met a bold, brash, and handsome young man by the name of Leslie Clyde Bass. An immediate connection was formed, and they saw in each other kindred dreams of adventure. It was as if lightning struck the pair; they quickly split with their partners at the time, and began a whirlwind romance, much to the chagrin of their families. Four months after meeting, on October 28th, 1954, Dora Jane and Leslie spirited away to the courthouse to seal a union that would span 65 years.
Dora Jane began a professional career at Juvenile Shoe Corporation, rising to the position of Floor Lady. In 1977, she took a position as store manager with Stuckey's, Inc. She initially managed the Stuckey's located between Carthage and Sarcoxie. She was quickly promoted to General Manager, and her territory was expanded to include several stores in Missouri. Stuckey's sent her to Georgia to attend their management training academy, after which she was again promoted to District Leader, wherein her territory was further expanded to include stores all along the Midwest.
Dora Jane began a professional career at Juvenile Shoe Corporation, rising to the position of Floor Lady. In 1977, she took a position as store manager with Stuckey's, Inc. She initially managed the Stuckey's located between Carthage and Sarcoxie. She was quickly promoted to General Manager, and her territory was expanded to include several stores in Missouri. Stuckey's sent her to Georgia to attend their management training academy, after which she was again promoted to District Leader, wherein her territory was further expanded to include stores all along the Midwest.
In 1985, a large swath of Stuckey's stores were purchased by Cardon Corporation, and Dora Jane began a long and successful career with them. She was placed in charge of even more stores stretching across the country, which included Cardon's truck stop operations.
In 1989, Cardon undertook a corporate reorganization, and offered Dora Jane a position operating their truck stop outside of Cedar City, Utah. Despite the difficult decision of moving far away from their family, Dora Jane and Leslie embarked on their next great adventure among the Rocky Mountains. Dora Jane was a dedicated and loyal employee, and within short order had transformed the struggling truck stop to consistent prosperity.
During this time, Dora Jane was honored by being elected President of the National Truckstop Managers Association. Despite numerous offers from other large truck stop chains, Dora Jane and Leslie remained in Utah for several more years, traveling the Western United States with their family and friends, and hosting their grandkids over the summers.
In 1955, Dora Jane and Leslie welcomed their wonderful daughter Deborah Jane into the world. A few years later, in 1959, their son Leslie Gail came blazing into this life. Tragedy struck in 1962, when Debbie shockingly lost her life at home during a violent storm. Despite this horrible event, Dora Jane and Leslie clung to each other and their son Gail, and pressed forward with the business of living. The toll was steep, though, and this was a wound that would never really heal. 63 years later devastation reared its ugly head once again when Dora Jane lost Gail, her only remaining child. One comfort that remained at this time was that Dora Jane's condition allowed her to move beyond dwelling on the loss.
Among her family, Dora Jane was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her sister Shirley Brashers-Harris and brother James Chapman. As noted, she was also preceded by her daughter Debbie and son Gail.
In 1955, Dora Jane and Leslie welcomed their wonderful daughter Deborah Jane into the world. A few years later, in 1959, their son Leslie Gail came blazing into this life. Tragedy struck in 1962, when Debbie shockingly lost her life at home during a violent storm. Despite this horrible event, Dora Jane and Leslie clung to each other and their son Gail, and pressed forward with the business of living. The toll was steep, though, and this was a wound that would never really heal. 63 years later devastation reared its ugly head once again when Dora Jane lost Gail, her only remaining child. One comfort that remained at this time was that Dora Jane's condition allowed her to move beyond dwelling on the loss.
Among her family, Dora Jane was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her sister Shirley Brashers-Harris and brother James Chapman. As noted, she was also preceded by her daughter Debbie and son Gail.
Surviving Dora Jane are her grandchildren, Kacey Jane Dragoo and husband Tim, and Jamey Bass and his wife April, as well as her sister Linda Lee, niece Melissa Lee, nephews, Ryan Lee and Gary Brashers, sister-in-law Sue Strong, and sister-in-law Evelyn Chapman. She also leaves three great-grandchildren - Erin Dragoo, Everett Bass, and Kendrick Bass. But above all, she leaves behind her partner in crime, her confidant, and the love of her life, Leslie.
In 2007, Dora Jane and Leslie retired back to their farm outside of Sarcoxie to be nearer to their family. While she was comfortable and happy to be back home with her kids and grandkids, Dora Jane always pined to return to the scenery of Southern Utah. Dora Jane loved the mountains, loved to explore, and loved her family.
In 2007, Dora Jane and Leslie retired back to their farm outside of Sarcoxie to be nearer to their family. While she was comfortable and happy to be back home with her kids and grandkids, Dora Jane always pined to return to the scenery of Southern Utah. Dora Jane loved the mountains, loved to explore, and loved her family.
Even in retirement, she was always open to escapades, travelling at times to Canada and then later to Alaska with her granddaughter-in-law April, whom she loved. She could be brusque and short at times, as those who dared to call her only by her first name of "Dora" would find out.
Despite of any rough edges, it should be known that through it all, Dora Jane was at heart a loving, caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt. She will be truly and deeply missed.
Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home, Sarcoxie, MO
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