Robert Bullock

Robert Dwayne Bullock was born March 20, 1932 to Eileen Asher and Marion Francis Bullock of Smithville, Missouri, and passed into the hands of the Lord November 25, 2020. His life was made full through the love he had for his wife of 70 years, three children and their spouses, six grandchildren and their spouses, and four great grandchildren.

As a young boy he helped his father, Marion, on the family farm off Martin Road. He was always a determined, hard worker, something instilled in him by his father. At Smithville High School he spent days playing basketball and cheering for the other sports teams as a spirit leader. He graduated from Smithville High School in the Spring of 1950, and later that fall he married his high school sweetheart, Betty J. Norris on October 21, 1950. The two of them raised their three children, Ron, Rick, and Connie on the same farmland where Robert was raised. The lovebirds lived together on the farm for the next 65 years, moving into town together in 2015.

Ron, Rick, and Connie cherish their memories of going hunting and fishing together, and enjoying fried morel mushrooms which were avidly hunted by Robert. Other special memories included family trips to the Lake of the Ozarks and nights spent dancing with the Boots and Bows square dance club.

A loyal, hard worker, Robert celebrated 35 years with Ford Motor Company before retiring at the age of 63. When not working for Ford, he had a painting company with his friend, Donald Lindsay.

Robert was a huge sports fan. On any given day in his house there would be a game on the TV, sound off, captions on. He was a loyal supporter of both the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs, despite many rough years of hard losses. He was ecstatic to see a World Series Championship and a Super bowl win from his two favorite teams in the last five years.  Although he loved the Missouri Tigers, he made room in his heart to also support the Kansas Jayhawks and Arkansas Razorbacks, only to show support for his grandchildren attending those schools.

A collector at heart, Robert’s basement was always full of mementos honoring the things in life he truly cherished. Still to this day you can find a section dedicated to John Deere, an homage to long days out on the farm, trinkets and collectibles relevant to of his time at Ford Motor Company, and a collection of hunting rifles and shotguns which have been passed on to family members. 

You’d also find an array of hats, clocks, sports memorabilia, and his collection of coins and keys. Robert was always in tune to the sweetness of life, never getting his feathers too ruffled over anything, and keeping his priorities straight. Nothing mattered more to Robert than his family and his wife. The rest of the worries and fears the world could bring seemed to pale in comparison to the joy and love for family. He shared his joy over family meals around the dinner table, which were always finished off with dessert. You could never leave “Grandma and Grandpa’s” without a sweet treat in your belly, and no matter what portion you served yourself, it was never big enough in Grandpa’s eyes.

 Although health issues in his later years mostly kept Robert and Betty at home, he loved every update he received from grandchildren’s adventures, the news of great grandchildren, weddings, little league wins, and always listened to the good and the bad of his family’s lives with an openness of mind and love in his heart.

His life is an example to us all, especially in the times we are facing currently. It shows us how gratitude can make life extraordinary, how the person you love and your home together can be the most special place in the world, and how the big stuff is usually small stuff and the small stuff is usually the big stuff. His family will always miss his ornery smile, joyful chuckle, and strong arms that gave the best hugs.

Robert is survived by his wife, Betty, of the home. Son Ron and his wife Karen, of Kennesaw, Georgia; son Rick and his wife Denise, of Leawood, Kansas; and daughter Connie Butler of Gladstone, Missouri. Grandchildren Megan Jenkins and husband Josh of Woodstock, Georgia; Matthew Bullock and wife Monika of Kennesaw, Georgia; Emma Goad and husband Jared, of Stafford, Kansas; Rachel Depew and husband Henry of Prairie Village, Kansas; Bradley Bullock of Omaha, Nebraska; and Brian Butler of Gladstone, Missouri. Great grandchildren Bronson and Flynn Jenkins and Lucas and Olivia Bullock, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Family services will be held at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville

Burial: Ridgely Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Smithville United Methodist Church, 505 North 169 Highway, Smithville, MO 64089.Arrangements by Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville

Arrangements by Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville