Mr. Robert [Bob] Ray Grubbs Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Obituary for Robert Ray Grubbs Robert (Bob) Ray Grubbs passed very peacefully from this life on January 9, 2016. He was born on April 14, 1925 in Pine Lawn, MO. Robert was the son of Burgess B. Grubbs and Lauretta (nee Ray) Grubbs both of whom preceded him in death. Bob was married to Mariel (nee McRae) Grubbs for over 68 years. Robert Grubbs was a graduate of Ritenour High School where he played football, baseball and wrestled. He was a member of the Ritenour Hall of Fame for his and the Grubbs family wrestling achievements. Bob also was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, OK with other members of the Grubbs family in 2007 for Lifetime Service. Bob attended Northwest Missouri State University as a part of the US Navy training program during World War II. He played football on the undefeated 1944 team that was invited to the Sun Bowl, but the Navy moved too many students into active duty for them to play. Bob was inducted into the M Club – the NWMSU Hall of Fame - with that team in 1995. Bob Grubbs was a proud veteran serving in the US Navy from 1944-1946 in the Pacific. He was a member of the Overland Christian Church where he served as an Elder, deacon, property chair, long time choir member, part of the mowing team and a Sunday School teacher for a number of years. He was a Past Master of the George Washington Lodge #9 AF & AM. He was a retired carpenter who worked most of his life in the metropolitan St. Louis Area. Robert loved to sing barbershop music. He was a member of the St. Louis Suburban Barbershop Chorus known as the “Gentlemen of Sound” for 28 years. He also sang in two different Barbershop Quartets. The first was named “Larry and His Boys” and the second was “The Soundmasters”. He was a surrogate father to a number of nephews and nieces, cousins, neighbors, Church family members and friends. He is the father of three children. Lari Grubbs of Crystal City, MO; Bobbie Sue Grubbs (who preceded him in death) and Janice Lea Fox of Winfield, MO. Mr. Grubbs has five grandchildren: Jamelle Linae (nee Grubbs) Lingle (James) of Peoria, IL; Robbi Ray Grubbs of Herculaneum, MO; Dixie Fox (Andrew Brune) of Rolla, MO; Debi (nee Fox) Smith of Moscow Mills, MO and Joe David Fox of Winfield, MO. He also is survived by two great-grandchildren: Kaitlynn Rae Wiley-Grubbs of Hillsboro, MO and Robbi Ray Grubbs II of Herculaneum, MO. He is further survived by one great, great grandchild, Zaiden Moser of Hillsboro, MO. He has four surviving brothers: Jim (Ginny) of Hickory Corners, MI; Harry (Jan) of Grand Junction, CO, Burge (Velda) of Battle Creek, MI and Charles Hank (Kathy) of St. Ann, MO; two sisters: Carolyn of Berrien Springs, MI and Sue (Don) Perkins of Silver Spring, MD and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Bob was preceded in death by one sister and a brother-in-law, Eleanor (nee Grubbs) Umek and Tom Umek. A private Committal service will be held at Valhalla Cemetery. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, January 13 at 11:00 am at the Overland Christian Church, 2200 Lackland Avenue in Overland, MO with the Rev. Rich Bregitzer presiding. In lieu of flowers, any gifts are requested as memorials given to the Overland Christian Church or in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Mr. Robert [Bob] Ray Grubbs

April 14, 1925 - January 9, 2016