David Hair

(From Parker Mortuary)

David Eugene Hair, age 80 of Joplin, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, surrounded by loved ones.

David was born December 15, 1940, in Belton, Texas, to the late Ernest Eugene, Jr. and Dorothy (Wade) Hair. He was a graduate of Belton High School. 

David obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Howard Payne University, his Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas in Austin, and was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializing in individual, group, family and marital therapy. He retired from Dayspring Behavioral Services in 2008.

In his spare time, David enjoyed building things. One of his greatest achievements was completing a cabin retreat in Arkansas. He loved the outdoors and spent many summers camping with his family. Always curious, David and Joyce traveled extensively including the National Parks as well as out of the country to places of interests like Australia and New Zealand. His love of travel combined with his interest in construction culminated on his visit to Barcelona, Spain. He was fascinated by the architect Antoni Gaudi’s work and was able to visit Sagrada Familia Cathedral.

Service was an integral part of David’s character. Through Hearts and Hammers and St. Paul’s Methodist Church, he participated in several mission trips. Part of his calling involved helping those in need he did as a counselor with Stephens Ministry. He also provided crisis counseling in church as well as after the Joplin tornado. He was concerned with environmental conservation, as a result he volunteered at the Wildcat Glades until his illness prevented doing so.


Family was everything to David and he cherished time spent and memories created with his family and friends. His church family was very special to him as were his local Grands, Jonah and Wyatt Hensley and “son” Maurice Rodgers. He spent many hours rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Longhorns much to the chagrin of his Sooner-loving wife. David was a man of wit and mystery and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

On December 6, 1997, David was united in marriage to Joyce Markman. Together they shared 23 precious years before his passing. David is survived by his wife, Joyce; children, Leslie Ragsdill and husband, Burt, (Plano, TX); Kelly Hair and wife, Danielle, (Westfield, NJ); Debbie Markman and husband, John Vaughn, (Joplin, MO); Jill Markman and husband, Darin Fox (Norman, OK); grandchildren, Jacob Markman-Fox, Riley Hair, Avery Hair; and a host of extended family and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, December 10, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with Pastor Britton Fields officiating. Kelly Hair, Burt Ragsdill, Maurice Rodgers, Jake Markman-Fox, Jonah and Wyatt Hensley and Riley Hair will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Friday morning from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Park Foundation, KRPS Public Radio, Habitat for Humanity, or St Paul’s United Methodist Church, in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.

Masks are strongly preferred.

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