Bob House

(From Parker Mortuary)

Robert Harlan House, age 76, of Joplin passed away peacefully on Friday, June 13, 2025 at The Wildwood Senior Living in Joplin, Missouri.

Bob was born on June 2, 1949 in Springfield, MO to Harlan and Betty (McClendon) House. He married Doris Jean Fleming on January 3, 1976. They were blessed with 45 years of marriage before her passing on June 7, 2021.

In addition to his parents and wife, Bob was preceded in death by his niece-in-law, Theresa Waymire Dunn; uncle, Wilson McClendon; uncle, Ronnie House; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ovle House; and grandmother, Lena McClendon.

Bob is survived by his sister, Heather (House) Dunn and husband, Dr. Bruce Dunn; nephew, Dr. Matthew Dunn; niece, Dr. Regan Dunn and husband, Dr. Rick Madden; and a host of extended cousins.

Bob, a graduate of Ava High School, the University of Missouri, Columbia, and Duke University School of Law, was appointed the first Circuit Judge of the 44th Judicial Circuit (Douglas, Ozark & Wright Counties) by Governor Christopher Bond for the one-year term of calendar year 1982. Judge House was an Assistant Attorney General of Missouri Attorneys General John Danforth and John Ashcroft from 1974 to 1977 and Prosecuting Attorney of Douglas County from 1979 through 1981. Following his service as Circuit Judge, Bob House practiced law with his wife, Doris, served as City Attorney of Mansfield, MO and served as Municipal Judge for the City of Ava, MO. Judge House was Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation Joplin office, having been appointed an Administrative Law Judge by Governor John Ashcroft in 1989. Bob retired from the practice of law on Jan 1, 2017.

As a Master Rosarian and Consulting Rosarian, Bob loved to grow, show, and judge roses. At one point in time, Bob and Doris had 1500 roses at their home in Ava and 700 roses in Loma Linda. They were awarded the Guy Blake Hedrick Award of Rose Exhibiting Excellence, a “lifetime achievement” award, from the American Rose Society in 2013. Bob and Doris were also awarded the Silver Honor Medal, which is awarded to the member who has provided meritorious service to the rose and its culture, for efforts expended in support of the American Rose Society and its objectives within the district they reside.

Bob also had lifelong interests in film, history, literature and classical music which he loved to share with friends and family.

Private family services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donation be sent to the American Rose Society or the Salvation Army.

Cremation arrangements are under the special care and direction of Parker Mortuary.