Robert “Bob” Straw
Born: June 14, 1953
Died: July 03, 2015
Robert “Bob” Straw, of Clinton, MO, passed away, Friday July 3, 2015 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Kansas City, Missouri. A memorial service will be held 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at the Clinton Elks Lodge. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 P.M. prior to the service. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Boy Scouts of American or Kansas City Hope Lodge and may be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, Missouri.
Robert Rush (Bob) Straw was born June 14, 1953, the younger son of William Rush Straw and Helen Louise Tuter Straw, at the naval facility in Norfolk, Virginia. However, he was raised in Clinton by his paternal aunt Elizabeth Straw Hay and Olaf Hay, who lived across the street from the old high school.
Bob sang with both the Clinton High School choir and his church choir, where he had been a member since childhood. He remained close to the directors, Don Coleman and Mike Murphy for many years. Bob’s love of music continued throughout his life as he taught himself to play several Jimmy Buffet’s songs on his uncle’s mandolin.
He enrolled at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) that fall and studied vocal Music for a year. In his one season of soccer, he was known for breaking the ankle of the Crown Prince Liberia during a game. It was at OBU where he met his future wife, Iris Dianne (Dee) Walker from Santa Fe, New Mexico, who was also studying vocal music and piano.
He was married and entered the U. S. Air Force in 1972 and was stationed in El Paso, Denver, Omaha, and Honolulu. Both of his children were born at military hospitals: Jennifer Ruth Colorado and Robert Rush, Jr. (BJ) in Hawaii. The family moved to Clinton in 1978.
Bob as well as both children graduated from Clinton High School. Bob completed his Bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University and was only one class short of his Master’s. He was proud to have been a teaching assistant for the late Professor Davila.
Bob retired form the United States Postal Service in 2005. In his early years, he worked in law enforcement in Henry County and the surrounding area. After retirement, he often substituted in local school districts.
Bob also enjoyed reading, watching old movies, deer hunting, target practicing and playing cards at the old Elk’s Lodge. He held many officer positions within the Clinton Elk’s Lodge and was on the Missouri Americanism Committee for many years.
Bob enjoyed working with Boy Scouts. He spent many summers attending and working at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. In addition to many years on staff at Rotary Camp for special needs Scouts.
Bob’s boyhood Scouting began in Troop 430 and ended as an adult with the position of Scout Master in the same troop. He was an Eagle Scout, a Sachem in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and a Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow. December 7, 1989, he and two friends, John Glenn and the late Kevin Frederick founded Troop 2, which was sponsored by the Clinton Elk’s and lasted over 20 years. As an adult he earned numerous District and Council awards for his work with the Boy Scouts.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, William Rush & Helen Louise, Olaf & Elizabeth Hay, multiple aunts, uncles, and cousins, his brother Barney, 3 beloved cocker spaniels PJ, Goliath, and Data.
Bob is survived by his wife Dee and devoted dog Dax of the home, his daughter Jennifer, son & daughter-in-law BJ and Erin, a brother & sister-in-law Bill and Rita Darlene, and many nieces, nephews and their children.
Joseph E. Sizemore, 54 years, passed away Sunday, July 12, 2015 at St. Joseph Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri. A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, July 18, 2015 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton, Missouri. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will follow in Deepwater Cemetery, Deepwater, Missouri. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Joseph Sizemore Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.