Robert Johns (Mansfield)'s Obituary
Robert Raymond Johns, son of Roy and Ida (Huff) Johns, was born September 6, 1919 near Seymour, Missouri. He departed this life at his home near Mansfield, Missouri on October 22, 2013 at the age of ninety-four years, 1 month and 16 days.
As the oldest child, Robert learned to work hard at an early age helping his father on the farm to support the family. He never forgot that work ethic and was always happiest when he was working outdoors.
He was a WWII Veteran serving in the Army from August 1942 to December 1945. He worked on the construction of the Al-Can Highway and later served in Japan.
While still a soldier, on his way home on furlough, he gave up his seat on the crowded train to Ruby Lee Taylor who would become the love of his life. They were married on February 15, 1947 in Parsons, Kansas. To this union three daughters were born. In 1953 they moved to a farm near Mansfield, Missouri where they spent the rest of their years. Robert helped with the construction of the Tobin Hamilton Shoe Co. and spent over 15 years working there. In the early 70’s he began working in maintenance at Mansfield School retiring in 1981. During these years he also worked on the farm milking, raising beef cattle and hogs and always gardening. He loved to hunt and fish; squirrel hunting as a boy, fox hunting and gigging as a young man, taking his last big buck when he was 76. After they retired, he and Ruby spent many hours fishing at Theodosia. He loved spending time with his grandchildren fishing and hunting or just family dinners together.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Ruby on March 13, 2005; two sisters Garnett Contreras and Maggie Reynolds.
Robert is survived by three daughters, Carolyn Gulley and her husband Michael of Naylor, Patty Dennis and her husband Harold of Mansfield and Mary Shropshire and her husband Kenneth also of Mansfield; seven grandchildren James Shropshire, Benjie Dennis and his wife Brooke, Jennifer Bransfield and her husband T. J., Tonya Scranton and her husband Jason, Hayden Dennis and his wife Tara, Shane Gulley and his wife Emily and Kristina Lace and her husband Kelley; ten great grandchildren; two sisters Erma Mae Machon and her husband Herman, Ethel Boswell and her husband Lester, one brother Clyde Johns and his wife Maria; one sister-in-law Betty Taylor; many nieces and nephews as well as a host of many friends and neighbors.
Robert made his profession of faith in Christ and was a member of Lead Hill Freewill Baptist Church where he attended as long as his health would permit.
Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and caring neighbor and friend. He leaves a legacy to his family of a life well lived. Although he will be greatly missed, we take comfort in the truth that through our Lord Jesus we will one day meet again.
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