(From Parker Mortuary)Robert “Bob” Lynn Smith, of Clear Lake Shores, Texas, beloved father and grandfather, passed away on December 12, 2023 at the age of 84 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Bob was born on March 16, 1939 in Joplin, Missouri to Earl Leonard Smith and Laura Stinnett. He was the youngest of three children, following older brothers Richard and Ramon.
Bob had fond memories of his childhood, from growing up on the family farm to riding his horse “Best” to school in the 4th grade to playing on the winning county softball team in the 7th grade.
Bob had a strong work ethic, first working for his brother Richard at the age of 13 at residential home sites. After graduating from Joplin High School in 1957 he studied architectural drafting in college and also received his certification in carpentry. Having several generations of family members in the construction field, it was a natural inclination for him to follow in their footsteps.
At the age of 27, he had a motorcycle accident that caused paralysis. However, he did not let this stop him from leading a productive life. His career in construction continued where he eventually became the senior construction estimator at R. E. Smith Construction Company, where he worked for a total of 56 years. He was especially proud of the many young estimators he mentored over the decades.
Bob also was a home builder, designing several homes for his family and for local clients in Joplin and Carthage. He was innovative and creative in his designs for the time. Once, a group of well-known Joplinites knocked at the door of his family home, expressing their admiration for his unique house and asking if they could take photos of the outside.
Bob’s life experiences provided a wealth of knowledge that he shared with family and friends. He was the go-to person if anyone had a question regarding a home issue or a car problem. Bob provided words of comfort and compassion to individuals in the hospital that had suffered spinal cord injuries. He was kind, generous, and had a big heart and a great sense of humor. Throughout his lifetime he had an eagerness to both teach and learn.
His passions were collecting antique carpenter planes (which started in his teenage years) and he was an old car enthusiast, treasuring the family’s 1949 Buick. Bob also owned several hot rods – an ‘86 and two ‘87 Buick Grand Nationals. He enjoyed going to car shows, meets, and auctions, and traveled to NASCAR several times. He appreciated Native American art and culture and attended pow wows when he had the opportunity. New Mexico and Arizona were a couple of his favorite places to visit.
Bob’s family tree included Mayflower Pilgrims William and Mary Brewster and he was a member of The General Society of Mayflower Descendants. His ancestors also included Revolutionary War Patriot David Todd, who was the great grandfather of Mary Todd Lincoln. Bob’s great-great grandparents were early pioneers of Joplin, settling in town in the 1890’s.
At the age of 27, he had a motorcycle accident that caused paralysis. However, he did not let this stop him from leading a productive life. His career in construction continued where he eventually became the senior construction estimator at R. E. Smith Construction Company, where he worked for a total of 56 years. He was especially proud of the many young estimators he mentored over the decades.
Bob also was a home builder, designing several homes for his family and for local clients in Joplin and Carthage. He was innovative and creative in his designs for the time. Once, a group of well-known Joplinites knocked at the door of his family home, expressing their admiration for his unique house and asking if they could take photos of the outside.
Bob’s life experiences provided a wealth of knowledge that he shared with family and friends. He was the go-to person if anyone had a question regarding a home issue or a car problem. Bob provided words of comfort and compassion to individuals in the hospital that had suffered spinal cord injuries. He was kind, generous, and had a big heart and a great sense of humor. Throughout his lifetime he had an eagerness to both teach and learn.
His passions were collecting antique carpenter planes (which started in his teenage years) and he was an old car enthusiast, treasuring the family’s 1949 Buick. Bob also owned several hot rods – an ‘86 and two ‘87 Buick Grand Nationals. He enjoyed going to car shows, meets, and auctions, and traveled to NASCAR several times. He appreciated Native American art and culture and attended pow wows when he had the opportunity. New Mexico and Arizona were a couple of his favorite places to visit.
Bob’s family tree included Mayflower Pilgrims William and Mary Brewster and he was a member of The General Society of Mayflower Descendants. His ancestors also included Revolutionary War Patriot David Todd, who was the great grandfather of Mary Todd Lincoln. Bob’s great-great grandparents were early pioneers of Joplin, settling in town in the 1890’s.
Bob deeply loved his daughters and granddaughters and their husbands, and always looked forward to spending time with them. He instilled in his family a can-do attitude and taught them to never give up.
He is survived by his daughter Shannon and husband David Tan, daughter Shari and husband Mike Manning, granddaughter Ashlee Henry and husband Tim Dugan, granddaughter Lindsey and husband Curt Freeman, and brother Richard Smith.
A private memorial service will be planned at a later date.
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