Carl Maples

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Carl Eugene Maples, 92, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away on April 17, 2026. He was born on April 2, 1934, in Jasper, Missouri.

Carl was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Carol Lynette Maples (Hanson - Waites); two daughters, Sonya Hamblin (Bob) of Gallatin, Tennessee, and Tammy Gailey (Shan) of Ochelata, Oklahoma; and one stepson, Travis Waites of Russia. He is also survived by five grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and thirteen great- grandchildren. He is further survived by two brothers, John Maples and Gene Maples (Linda), and one sister, Betty Priester.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Joan Maples (Vette); his daughter, Manya Maples; stepdaughter, LaDawn Waites; grandson, Christopher Gailey; his parents, William and Juanita Maples; four brothers, William, Donald, James, and Thomas; and three sisters, Naomi Michaud, Patricia Busby, and Shirley Giles.

Carl loved God and was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served in many positions throughout his life. His faith was an important part of who he was.

From a young age, Carl enjoyed helping his mother cook and developed a lifelong love of baseball. He attended Alba High School for all 12 years, where he was a pitcher on the baseball team. One of his proudest memories was pitching against Mickey Mantle when his team played Baxter Springs. Carl continued playing baseball on local and semi-professional teams until he was 40 years old.

After graduating high school, Carl began working for Bullard and Bell in Joplin, Missouri. He later worked for Junge Bread, which was purchased by Bunny Bread in Monette, Missouri, for about five years. His career then took him to Blakely Oil in Tucson, Arizona, where he worked for three years before transferring to Coolidge, Arizona for one year. Carl moved his family to El Monte, California, where he worked for Miller Name Plate doing silk screen printing for seven years. Eventually, he returned to the Midwest, settling in Cherokee, Kansas, where he worked at the Parsons Ammunition Plant for 20 years. He concluded his working years at Southeast High School, where he was employed for another 20 years.

Carl will be remembered for his strong faith, his love of family, and his lifelong passion for baseball.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary, 3701 East 7th Street, Joplin, Missouri.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.