Bobby Gooch

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Bobby Dale Gooch, 68, passed away peacefully at his home Sunday, May 10, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Bobby was born March 22, 1947 to Robert Gooch and Wathenia Constanz and again in 2012, as a believer of Jesus Christ.

Bobby graduated from Joplin Senior High School in 1966. He spent much of his youth at The Joplin Boys Club, where he excelled in boxing. Bobby won multiple Golden Gloves Championships in the fourstate area. He could often be found drinking coffee at McDonald’s early in the mornings before making his way to the fishing hole, hunting field or golf course. Bobby was a member of The Joplin Golf Club and spoke fondly of his time playing with the “noonies.”

Bobby spent his life in the service of others, beginning with service in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War, serving as a MP. He was a member of the Joplin Police Department, where he served as a patrol officer and paramedic. Bobby transferred to the Joplin Fire Department, where he continued to serve his community for 21 years, before retiring as a Driver/Engineer. He served as Vice President of the local chapter of the International Association of Firefighters and secretary of the Southwest Coalition of Firefighters for 8 years of his career.

Bobby is survived by his mother, Wathenia Constanz, and mother-in law, Virginia Baggerly, both of Joplin. His wife, Marlene Baggerly Gooch, a daughter, Krissy Gooch, his sons, Aaron Gooch and wife Julie, all of Joplin, and Brian Simonds, of Hasty, Colorado. Five grandchildren, Luke Loveall, Kaitlyn and Abigail Gooch, Breanna and Trysten Simonds. He is also survived by two sisters, Linda Ackerson and husband, Ron and Joyce Smith and husband, Mark. Bobby considered Ron Ackerson, David Grinder and Louie Gannon to be “brothers.”

Bobby was preceded in death by his father, Robert Gooch, and two sisters, his twin Brenda Anastopolis and Anita King.

A graveside service will be held at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery on Thursday, May 14th at 10:00 am. Members of the Joplin Fire and Police Department’s Honor Guards will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like everyone to send a happy thought Bobby’s way next time you drink a cup of coffee, cast a line, or tee off.

“The sorrow of the faithful is not that of permanent loss, but the tender sadness that comes in saying goodbye for now to someone we love.”

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Olen Robbins

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Olen L. Robbins, age 76, passed away on Sunday May 10, 2015, at Mercy Hospital, following an illness.

Olen was born on April 12, 1939 in Rolla, Mo., the son of the late James L. and Letha (Firestine) Robbins. He served in the United States Army. He worked as a machinist for Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. He married Betty Benedict- Fox on June 28, 1987 in Topeka, Ks. They moved to Joplin in 2005. He was a member of Harmony Heights Baptist Church. Olen loved classic cars and restored many cars. He was a member of many Classic Car Clubs.

Olen is survived by his wife Betty Robbins, Joplin, three sons, Olen Randy Robbins and wife Tracy, Oronogo, Mo., James Robbins and wife Donna, Middleburg, Fl., and Don Fox and wife Stacey, Lebanon, Mo.; two daughters, Connie Luellen Robbins, Denison, Ks., and Pamela Wagler and husband Steve, Evansville, In., two brothers, Carl Robbins and wife Dolly, Joplin, and Elvin Robbins and wife Eileen, Joplin; one sister, Wanda Myers and husband Galen, Joplin; fourteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 1:00 Wednesday at Harmony Heights Baptist Church. Reverend Charlie Burnett will officiate. A second service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Topeka, Ks. Reverend Peter Whitebird will officiate. The family will receive friends 2-3 p.m. Thursday prior to the service. Burial will be at Topeka Cemetery in Topeka, Ks.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Parkinson’s Foundation in care of the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Lisa Lowrance

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Lisa Gail Lowrance, age 57, Joplin, passed away on Friday May 8, 2015, at KU Medical Center, following a sudden illness. 

Lisa was born on April 17, 1958 in Canton, Ms., the daughter of the late Luther and Jimmie Ruth (Poole) Graves. She graduated from Mississippi State University in 1980 with a B.S. in Education. She married Rob Lowrance on August 2, 1980. Together they raised two children. She was a special education teacher for the Joplin R-8 School District at Soaring Heights Elementary School. She enjoyed making cupcakes and spending time with her two grandchildren.

She is survived by one daughter Brooke White, Joplin; one son, Josh Lowrance and fiancé Tarah Reynolds, Columbia, Mo.; two grandchildren, Landon and Riley White; and her mother and father –in-law, Bob and Patt Lowrance, Jackson, Ms. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Buddy Graves.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service. Reverend Reid Vance will officiate.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given to KU Medical Center Transplant Division in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard Mortuary & Crematory.

Kevin Matthews

(From Knell Mortuary)

Kevin Franklin Matthews Sr., 49, Joplin, MO, passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, MO after a sudden illness. Kevin Franklin Matthews was born on December 4, 1965 in Cape May Court House, NJ to Wayne Matthews and Sandra (Pritchard) Matthews. He was a graduate of the Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, NJ, Class of 1981. Kevin married Patricia Ann Nichols on January 22, 2005 in Rio Grande, NJ, she survives. He worked as an auto parts salesman at Four State Trucks, Joplin, MO.

Additional survivors include one daughter; Gladys Jessie, Brook, IN; three sons; Timmy Jessie Jr., Lafayette, IN, Curtis Dodd, Farmington, NM, and Kevin F. Matthews Jr., Joplin, MO; one brother; Wayne Matthews, Dennisville, NJ; and three grandchildren.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

- See more at: http://www.knellmortuary.com/displayobit1.aspx?callid=1744#sthash.bjlWdXcP.dpuf

Jose Gutierrez

(From Knell Mortuary)

Jose R. Gutierrez, 68, Carthage, MO, passed away Wednesday May 6, 2015 at Mercy Hospital, Joplin, MO, after a sudden illness. Jose R. Gutierrez was born on March 10, 1947 in Guanjuto, Mexico, to Cosme Gutierrez and Gregoria (Ramirez) Gutierrez. He married Maria Gutierrez Garcia, she survives. He worked many years refinishing antiques.

Survivors include one daughter; Angelica Saldivar (Isreal), Carthage, MO; two sons; Raul Gutierrez (Mayra), Carthage, MO, and Jose Gutierrez, Los Angeles, CA; also one sister, four brothers, and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one daughter; Jasmine Gutierrez.

Private family mass will take place at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Knell Mortuary.

- See more at: http://www.knellmortuary.com/displayobit1.aspx?callid=1743#sthash.hL7fRBbq.dpuf

Tommy Goodson

(From Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home)

Tommy Dean Goodson, 70, of Sarcoxie, Missouri departed this life on Friday, May 8, 2015 at Countryside Estates in Warner, Oklahoma after several months of declining health.

Tommy entered this life on July 7, 1944 to the union of the late Clarence M. and Mary J. (Ipock) Goodson in Joplin, Missouri. He was a lifelong resident of Sarcoxie, Missouri. He was a 1964 graduate of Sarcoxie High School. After graduation he proudly served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967. During his service time, he was a helicopter mechanic. Tommy was a devoted employee for Leggett and Platt, of Carthage, retiring after more than thirty years of service. He enjoyed baseball and loved all sports.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Tommy is survived by his two brothers; Robert Goodson and wife Donna of Joplin, Missouri and Gary Goodson of Dallas, Texas, three sisters; Mary Walters of White Salmon, Washington, Georgia Davis of Joplin, Missouri and Linda Goodson of Sarcoxie, Missouri, several nephews and nieces as well as a host of other family and friends.

Graveside services with full military honors for Mr. Goodson are 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2015 at Reeds Cemetery with Bud Rogers officiating. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Those honoring his life by servicing as pallbearers are Gary Goodson, Bob Goodson, Harvey Davis, Danny Whitehead, Andrew Whitehead, and Robert Goodson. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.housh-goodwinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home, Sarcoxie, Missouri.

Robert Laptad

(From Parker Mortuary)

Robert Paul Laptad, age 87 of Joplin, passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 6, 2015. Born April 29, 1928 in Lawrence, KS, he was the son of the late Robert P. Laptad and Melba Mae Hamm Laptad. Bob graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in Lawrence, KS in 1945 and was the class president. He lettered in football and track where a lifelong love of running began. He attended Kansas University, was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, he lettered in track and was named All-American on the K.U. Track Team. He competed in and won the 4 by 100 relay in the 1946 Big 6 Championship. He received his bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Wichita, now Wichita State University. Bob served in the U.S. Marine Corps from September 1947 to April 1948, where he was a competitive boxer while serving as a military policeman. He moved to Joplin in 1965 from Wichita, KS, as a district manager for Prudential Insurance Company and retired in 1989 with 34 years of service, having won numerous awards in sales and management. He became a Chartered Life Underwriter in 1981.

As a member of First United Methodist Church for 50 years, he served as an usher, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Administrator, on Administrative Council, and was a member of the Tri-M Class. His Christian faith was a lifelong influence on family and friends.

Being a lifetime athlete, he completed four marathons. Bob was an avid and devoted fan of all Missouri Southern sports attending as many events as he was able. He was a charter member of the MSSU Lionbackers. He made enduring friendships with many student athletes and was especially passionate about track and field. In 1997 the Spring Invitational was named for Bob and continues today as the Bill Williams/Bob Laptad Invitational. He was inducted into the MSSU Hall of Fame in 1999.

His community involvement included Joplin Kiwanis Club and the Roughnecks, American Legion, Christian Businessmen's Committee, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and as board member and former president of Joplin YMCA. He served 27 years on the boards of Oak Hill Hospital and Freeman Hospital and was credited in 1999 for his efforts in the Oak Hill merger and formation of Freeman Health Systems.

He married Lois Elaine Lupton in 1953. She preceded him in death in 1975. His 5-year-old son, Joseph (Billy) Laptad passed away in 1974. His brother, Jack Laptad, also preceded him.

On May 5, 1978 he married Nancy Lindblom Hogue at Springdale, AR. She survives.

Additional survivors include three sons, Robert Layne Laptad of Webb City, Darren Gail Laptad and wife Kathy of Tulsa, OK, Robert Marshall Hogue and wife Lisa of Joplin; nine grandchildren; a sister, Irene Holmes of Fayetteville, AR; a brother, Dr. Richard Laptad of Wichita, KS; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. He treasured all the relationships he developed throughout his life and enjoyed maintaining those at every opportunity.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Bruce Jacobs officiating, after which, the family will receive friends.

Private interment will be in Osborne Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will also be at First United Methodist Church on Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to either First United Methodist Church at 501 West 4th St. Joplin, MO 64801 or the Bob Laptad Track Scholarship at MSSU Foundation (417 625 9396), or in care of Parker Mortuary.