Norma Walker

(From Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home)

Norma Lee Walker, age 91, passed away on May 30, 2022, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was born August 11, 1930, on the family farm northeast of Mount Vernon, Missouri, to Loren George and Nell Lorene (Stearns) Barker. 

Her childhood was centered around a one-room church, Summit Baptist, and Concord School, a one-room schoolhouse, both located near the farm. Her education was completed at the high school in town. Her older brother, Burl, and another young man from Mount Vernon, Max, served in the Army together during World War II, and Norma Lee wrote to them while they were overseas.

When both men returned from the war, Harry Max Walker and Norma Lee began dating, and they were married outdoors on June 19, 1949, at the Barker home. They were married for 54 years. 

Max traveled extensively as an over-the-road truck driver for many years, and Norma Lee maintained households in Mount Vernon, Joplin, Aurora, and the Oklahoma City area. The home was always filled with children, her own, along with those of their friends and neighbors. Wherever they lived, she found ways to serve in the churches they attended.

Norma is survived by her four daughters, Beverly and husband, Ronnie Garoutte, Barbara and husband, Jerry Agee, Brenda Hamilton, and Beth Gaston; one son, Dale Walker; daughter-in-law, Tonwya Walker; ten grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, Loren, and Nell; husband, Max; brother, Burl and his wife, Jerline; son, David, and son-in-law, William Hamilton, preceded her in death.

A graveside service under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at the Summit Cemetery northeast of Mt. Vernon. Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.

Ray Townsend

(From Simpson Funeral Home)

Ellis ‘Ray’ Townsend, age 93, passed away May 27, 2022 at his home. He was born August 31, 1928 in Joplin, MO to John and Viola Townsend. He lived in the Joplin area throughout his life.

On September 12, 1948, he married Margaret Louise Townsend of Carl Junction, MO.
In 1955, Ray and Louise built their current home. They were blessed with 73 years of marriage.

Ray served with the US Army in Korea from 1951 to 1953. He retired from Fleming Foods after 26 years. Ray enjoyed raising cattle, attending auctions and after retirement traveling on bus tours. His beloved dog, Sugar, has been a constant companion for 14 years.

Ray was supportive of his daughter, Gloria, as she grew up. When she married Roger, Ray spent many hours helping them as they built their first home.

Ray was proud of his two grandsons, Cameron and Brandon. He attended their school, athletic and music activities. He especially enjoyed the performances with their high school and college drum line.

Ray is survived by his wife, Louise; daughter Gloria and husband, Roger of Joplin; grandsons Cameron and wife Taylor of Neosho, MO, and Brandon of Oklahoma City, OK.

v

A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at Park Plaza Christian Church, 3220 Indiana Avenue, Joplin, Missouri 64804, between the hours of 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Carl Junction Cemetery with B.A. Austin officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to your favorite cause.

Services are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. Visit www.simpsonfh.com for online condolences.

Hunter Mason

(From Ferry Funeral Home)

Hunter Layne Mason passed away surrounded by his family on May 31, 2022, at the age of 22 following a brief but courageous battle with brain cancer.

Hunter was born in Nevada, Missouri on October 19, 1999, to parents Marc and Carrie Mason. He grew up developing his love for sports on the backyard basketball court and running football plays in the side yard. More recently he spent time fishing and playing golf with his friends, brothers, and dad.

Hunter was a 2018 graduate of Nevada High School where he was a student athlete, playing both basketball and football. Hunter graduated with honors as Valedictorian of his class and was also the recipient of the 2018 Roger Kennedy Award, the 2018 Senior Male Scholar Athlete, and the Patrick Quest Award.

During his football career at Nevada High, Hunter was recognized for his contribution on both sides of the ball, playing tight end and linebacker. Hunter’s recognition for these efforts included four-year letter winner, Team Captain, and NHS Offensive Player of the Year. Over his three years as a starter, he earned numerous post season area accolades including Honorable Mention, 2nd Team and 1st Team selections from All Southwest Missouri Coaches Association, All West Central Conference, Missouri Football Coaches Association All-State, Missouri Academic All-State, All District, and All Southwest Missouri Region.

In the fall of 2018, Hunter became a fighting Leatherneck when he earned a full Division I scholarship to play football and pursue his academic goals at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL.

Hunter graduated magna cum laude with his undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University in May 2021 and was continuing his collegiate football career while pursuing his graduate degree in Sport Management.

During his time at WIU, Hunter was the recipient of numerous academic and athletic awards including: 2021 WIU RPTA Outstanding Senior Award, All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Honorable Mention, Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Academic Honorable Mention, Missouri Valley Football Conference President’s Council Academic Excellence Award, and the 2022 Wespy’s Courage Award.

While much of Hunter’s life was spent on the football field playing the game he dearly loved, he always said, “I’m so much more than football” and that he was. Hunter was loved by his family, friends, teachers, professors, coaches, teammates, and community. Hunter loved them all as much as they loved him. Hunter attended the First Baptist Church in Nevada and the Crossing in Macomb, IL

Hunter is survived by his parents, Marc and Carrie Mason, Nevada, MO, his siblings, Taylor Cartwright, Nevada, MO, Tiffany Cartwright, Kansas City, MO, Jessica Mason, Fayetteville, AR, Nathan Mason, Caleb Mason, Nevada, MO, and Marc A. Mason, Sheldon, MO, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Hunter was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Gary Kafer and Sharon Kafer and Paternal grandparents, Florence McMillin and Herbert Mason.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 6, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Nevada with Dr. Kevin Daugherty officiating. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park. Friends may call from now until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday evening at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada.

Memorials are suggested in his memory to Nevada R-5 Scholarship Foundation for the Hunter L. Mason Scholarship Fund or the National Brain Tumor Society c/o Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington , Nevada, MO 64772.

***

Readers,

Consider supporting the Turner Report, Inside Joplin and Inside Joplin Obituaries by taking a voluntary subscription or by making a contribution of any amount at the PayPal buttons below or by sending your subscription or contribution to Randy Turner, 2306 E. 8th, Apt. A, Joplin, MO 64801.

Payment options

Option 1 : $30.00 USD - yearly Option 2 : $3.00 USD - monthly Option 3 : $1.00 USD - weekly

Pamela Reynolds

(From Parker Mortuary)

Pamela Jean Reynolds at 66 entered the heavenly kingdom May 30th, 2022, surrounded by family at her home in Joplin, Missouri. She was born on October 20th, 1955, to the late David Jesse (Bud) and Lois Cook in Mars Hill, Maine, where she grew up with her sisters Kathy, Cheryl and Kim, and brothers David J. Jr. and Scott. 

The six of them caused trouble for their parents. Once, to avoid getting caught for taking their father’s car without permission, they drove it home in reverse to lower the mileage. Her and her siblings kept this level of orneriness for their whole lives.

 

She married the love of her life, Larry Reynolds, on July 28th, 1972, in Wichita, KS. Pam and Larry went on to travel the country together and moved to Edwards Air Force Base in California, where they raised their three daughters, Misty, Tina, and Debra. They spent weekends with their daughters in Las Vegas, Disneyland, and road trips to visit family in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Parsons, Kansas. 

Later they moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, where they hosted many parties and kept a revolving door of family members stopping by for a visit. After moving back to California for a few years, they retired in Joplin, Missouri, where they got to spend time closer to their family.

Family was the most important aspect of Pam’s life and she made sure that they all knew they were loved. She loved singing karaoke with her daughters going as far as producing copies of thousands of songs, so that everyone was always prepared for a night of singing. “Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin, “Love Can Build a Bridge” by the Judds, and “Coat of Many Colors”, “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene” by Dolly Parton were some of her go to classics. 

She loved spending countless hours telling stories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved late night card games with her brothers and sisters. She was a formidable Yahtzee player, fine tuning her skills with her husband Larry. 

Pam was always the life of the party, or barbecue, or a regular Tuesday. Anywhere she was, she made sure that everyone had a great time and felt loved. Her singing, constant jokes, and laughter will be deeply missed by all that had the chance to know the beautiful, incredible wife, mother, sister, aunt, and nana she was.

Pam, with Larry and her family by her side, kept her laughter through a long battle of pain and even in her final days impressively managed a smile, and a story, and a joke.

 

Pamela is survived by her husband Larry; siblings, Kathy Ball, Kim and Tom Waun, Scott and Pam Cook, David Schoenhofer, and Jan Reynolds-Miles; children, Misty Reynolds, Tina and Bryan Hodkins, and Debra and Mike Wonderly, grandchildren; Gabrielle, Anthony, Kelssie, Kylee, Jacob, Austin, Dalton, Rylen, and Kaitlyn; great-grandchildren, Micah, Aydynn, Braydynn, Asher, Danny, Oliver, Kai-La, Beckham, Jace, Karlie, Lyden and Evangeline. As well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was greeted in heaven by her parents; David Jesse (Bud) and Lois Cook, brothers; David J. Cook Jr. and John Ball, and sisters; Cheryl Schoenhofer and Theresa Cook.

A celebration of life will occur on Pam and Larry’s 50th wedding anniversary July 30th, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Carson-Wall Funeral Home Family Center in Parsons, Kansas.

David Roughton

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

David Roughton of Joplin, MO passed away May 30, 2021.

David was born February 8, 1943, in Bentonville, Arkansas to John Roughton and Bertha Gibson.

David started for Joplin Fire Department on May 1, 1967, he became a driver February 1, 1976, and retired in 1992. David also was a school bus driver for Carl Junction High School.

David is preceded in death by his parents John and Bertha Roughton, his three brothers; Orville Roughton, Truman Roughton, Don Roughton and his sister, Juanita Roughton.

Survivors include son, David Thomas Jr. and three daughters; Melissa Roughton, Cherie Wallace, Christina Bay; two stepsons, Robert Robbins, Scott Robbins; 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren

A Memorial visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 3, 2022, at the Mason-Woodard Mortuary.

Thomas Fohrenck

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Thomas Lee Fohrenck of Joplin, MO, age 47, passed away on May 28, 2022. Thomas was born in Joplin on August 3, 1974 to Bill and Pam (Butler) Fohrenck. He was a lifetime resident of the Joplin area.

Thomas enjoyed collecting cars and guns, along with fishing and camping. He had a culinary license and loved to cook as well.

Survivors include brother, Gary Fohrenck and wife Kristina of Joplin; cousins Billy Butler and Chris Butler; brother-in-law, Zachary Nuse of Joplin; nieces & nephews, Keegan Fohrenck; Kaytlyn Weems; Alexias Thomson; Allysias Nuce; Tyler Nuse, along with two great-grandnieces.

Thomas was preceded in death by both parents.

A funeral service will be held on Friday at 10:00 am at the Mason-Woodard Chapel. Thomas will have a visitation at 9:00 am at the Mason-Woodard Chapel, prior to the service.

Arrangements are under the care of Mason-Woodard Mortuary in Joplin.

Larry Hoffman

(From Parker Mortuary)

Larry Dean Hoffman, age 74, of Joplin, passed away on Monday, May 30, 2022 at his home with family at his side.

Larry was born May 24, 1948 in Appleton City, Missouri, son of the late Paul E. Hoffman and Margie Viola (Ammons) Hoffman. He grew up in Butler, Missouri and graduated from Butler High School.

Larry has been an independent truck driver for many years. He started driving trucks at the age of 10, and has continued all his life. He was an owner/operator hauling and selling his own grain. 

He was known to drive anything, and was also hard on them as a youngster, blowing several motors during his younger days which helped with his becoming of a very talented mechanic. He enjoyed working on cars, race cars, and his passion of restoring his old semi-trucks. He also loved trading for goods and services, he got his first truck and trailer at the age of 17.

Larry had two sons, Jerry and Jimmy with his first wife, and then married Connie (Rabourn) Hockett in October 1976, and gained three additional children, Lisha, Gill, and Travis. Larry was a member of Fir Road Christian Church and was recently attending Center Point Christian Church.

He was a person who “never met a stranger” and would strike up a conversation with anyone. He was always looking to make the next great deal by trading. He loved his wife and children and was especially proud of his grandchildren and their accomplishments. He was known to many and will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, Larry was preceded in death by a twin brother, Jerry Dale Hoffman, and a son, Gill Hockett.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Connie Hoffman; children, Jerry Hoffman of Oronogo, Jimmy Hoffman of Marshall, Lisha McRae and husband Adam of Carl Junction, Travis Perry of Joplin; grandchildren, Ryan McRae and wife Linze, Lauren McRae, Chaz McRae, Shelby Perry, Seth Perry and wife Mirana, Walker Hoffman. Great Grandchildren Azalea McRae, Eve McRae, Coen and Bexley Cribb-Perry.

Graveside service will be Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Kelly Ross officiating; Jeff Minick, Chuck Westmoreland, Jamie Crow, Ross Bennett, Brantley Johnson and Doug Holloway serving as pallbearers.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital care of Parker Mortuary.