Robert Gilmore, age 75, of Chilhowee, Missouri passed away on Monday, February 5, 2024 at his home.
Robert lived the first years of his life in Great Bend, Kansas. The family later moved to Raytown, Missouri where he spent most of his school years; although he would return to Kansas and to his grandparent’s farm most summers, spending his 7th grade year there with them and attending the local school in Radium.
He graduated from Southeast High School and then from Kansas City business college. He worked as a buyer for the Jones Store until returning to Kansas to help his grandfather on the farm and after his grandfather’s death purchasing the home place. On May 30, 1981 he married Peggy Paxton of Clinton, Missouri. They had met through their shared love of horses. During this time, he served on both the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery and Lincoln Township Boards.
The farming crisis of the early ‘80s brought him and his family back to Missouri. There, Robert managed the cattle farm of Dr. Carroll Wetzel near Chilhowee for around 25 years and served several terms on the Chilhowee Fair Board, was part of the Chilhowee SPTO, and the R-4 Board of Education.
Through his sons’ involvement in 4-H he became the community leader for the Chilhowee Indians 4-H Club for several years. Supporting his sons’ exhibition of livestock in 4-H and later FFA brought him to be a member and president of the county junior livestock show committee and also a driving force in a group working to re-establish the Johnson County Fairgrounds. Robert, his wife, and sons spent uncountable hours at the fairgrounds doing everything from helping tile floors to running concession stands at rodeos, bull rides, auctions, and other events. He served as president of the fair association many years, spending part of most every day at the fairgrounds handling planning and programming.
With his so-called retirement, he set to work realizing his dream of leaving a piece of land to call home to his sons. He and the family bought land, picked out a modular home to set on the ground and design shed, barn, and corral for a working farmstead.
To keep busy, he also worked at the Veterans Home in Warrensburg in reception, enjoying the opportunity to visit with the residents and their families. Often, he would be late coming home in the evening because he had stayed to help clean the ice cream machine.
Coming out of “farmer’s” retirement, he went to work as treasurer for the City of Chilhowee and later added the duties of water billing. There he still managed to sweet talk wife and sons into helping him with tasks that he felt needed doing but could no longer manage on his own.
Robert is preceded in death by his infant son Charles Robert, his parents, James Robert and “Fran” Gilmore, his brother Dennis Gilmore, and grandparents, Charles and Lucille Gilmore.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years Peggy Gilmore, his two sons, James (Samantha) Gilmore, John (Amanda) Gilmore, his grandson Wyatt and granddaughter Emily, and his brother Don (Debbie) Gilmore.
Funeral services were held February 9, 2024 at Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton with Pastor Terry Roach officiating. Special music included “Go Rest High, Will the Circle Be Unbroken and Swing Low.” Graveside services and interment were held Saturday, February 10, 2024 in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Great Bend, KS.
Arrangements were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
