Robert "Bob" Earl Florence

Robert (Bob) Earl Florence, 85, of Lexington, peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family and caring nurses on Friday, September 1, 2023 at Lafayette Regional Health Center.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 5, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home in Lexington, Mo., with the rosary beginning at 5:30 p.m. The funeral mass will be at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lexington, Mo.  Bob will be laid to rest in Machpelah (Memorial Park) Cemetery, Lexington. 

Bob was born April 23, 1938, in North Platte, Nebraska to Jack L. Florence and Helen Brown Swope. He spent most of his childhood in Rib Lake, Wisconsin, a favorite spot often visited by Bob and his family on summer vacations.  He was united in marriage to Mary Ann (Holman) of Lexington, Mo. on May 23, 1959.

Bob was very proud of his education, having earned both his GED and later his bachelor’s degree from Columbia College. He was a proud veteran having served in the United States Army (which he entered at 17 years of age) and the Missouri National Guard, where he earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He started his career at the Missouri Corps of Engineers in Napoleon, Mo., and worked for FEMA in Kansas City, Mo. and later in life as the Lafayette County Emergency Management Director.

Bob was a strong leader in the roles he served and was very active in the community of Lexington. He served on the Lexington R-V School Board for twenty-four years, 19 years as the president. He also served on the Lexington City Council and the Lexington area Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was also involved in the Boy Scouts, Knights of Columbus and a member of the American Legion Post #60.

Bob loved sports. He was both an athlete in school and in the Army. He was a proud booster of Minutemen Athletics and was often seen on the sidelines of many sports contests cheering on his children and grandchildren. Not only a Minutemen fan, he was also a Wellington Tiger fan and St. James Tiger fan as well. Bob loved Mizzou, the KC Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mary Ann of the home; two sons, Robert K. Florence (Bob) and wife, Linda of Lexington, Mo.; Randall (Randy) E. Florence and wife, Jan of Wellington, Mo.; one daughter Deborah (Debby) M. Rinehart and husband, Jamie of St. James, Mo.; six beloved grandchildren, Victoria (Tori), Bethanie (Beth-Annie), Brenton (Brent), Nathaniel (Nate), Jacob (Jake) and Joshua (Josh); one brother-in-law, William E. Holman and wife, LaWanda of Lexington, Mo., one dear family friend, Nellie Barnes of Lexington, Mo.; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Cebert E. and Alda M. Holman; three brothers, Paul Swope, Lael Swope, Harley Florence; one sister, Cheryl Abel; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John R. and Diana L. Holman. 

Bob’s life is summed up as – “Pray, hope and don’t worry.”

Memorial contributions are suggested to: a future scholarship (c/o Mary Ann Florence) to be established later and/or the Lexington Historical Museum.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 South Street, Lexington, Missouri, 64067. Memories and condolences may be left at LedfordFamilyFH.com.