Bobby S. Coday (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Robert S. Coday, prominent member of a pioneer Ozarks banking family, has passed away. Mr. Coday died earlier this week at his home in Mansfield after a brief illness. He was 58.
Affectionately known as Bobby to his co-workers and many friends, he was executive senior-vice president of HomePride Bank at the time of his death.
The Bank of Mansfield, anchor institution for HomePride, was founded by Mr. Coday’s great-great-grandfather, G.W. Freeman, in 1892 and has remained in the family ever since. Bobby began working in the family bank while still in high school. His father, Joseph D. Coday, was president of the bank for many years until his death in 1992. His mother, Jean C. Coday, is current president and chairman of the board of directors, and his younger brother, Joseph C. Coday, is HomePride’s chief executive officer.
Bobby had lived in Mansfield most of his life, having graduated from Mansfield High School in 1974. As a junior he was elected state president of the Beta Club, a scholastic honors society. He later attended Westminster College and was a graduate of Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State University), majoring in history.
An avid reader (it was said he had read through the Encyclopedia Britannica at least twice before he was out of elementary school), he was an historian extraordinaire, offering fascinating background commentary on America’s past. His knowledge of the Civil War and World Wars I (in which his grandfather, Walter C. Coday, was a participant) and II and of the Korean War (of which his late father was a Navy veteran) was remarkable.
Bobby was especially proud of his home on the outskirts of Mansfield, a residence which seemed to be a magnet for wildlife. One of his more recent sightings was a marauding bear (which he photographed to the delight of his colleagues). But perhaps his favorite pastime, other than perusing his extensive library, was rooting for his beloved St. Louis Cardinals.
Bobby was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Walter and Opal Coday of Mansfield; and his maternal grandparents, Carl and Pearl Short of Ash Gove.
Survivors include his son, Stephen Coday and wife Amanda, of Olathe, KS; his mother, Jean C. Coday of Mansfield; brother, Joseph C. Coday and wife Kelley, of Springfield; sister, Jane Coday of Mansfield; two nephews, Connor Coday and wife Mandy of Kansas City, and Patrick Coday of Springfield; and Stephen’s mother, Jean Ann Coday.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph D. Coday/Robert S. Coday Scholarship Fund in care of the Bank of Mansfield.
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