1936
Bob Francis Middleton
2024
Bob Francis Middleton
July 27, 1936 — March 9, 2024
Olathe, Kansas
Bob Francis Middleton, 87, passed away March 9, 2024.
He was born July 27, 1936, the youngest of six children of Oscar and Iva Middleton. He spent the first 9 years of his life on a dairy farm in Joplin, Mo, then moved to Kansas City.
He attended East High School, graduating in 1955 and was a stand-out athlete in basketball and baseball. Bob married Helen Hogan in 1956 and they had three children; Robin, Brian, and Scott.
His jobs over the years reflected his many interests- Clipper Mfg in Grandview, Mo; owner of a neighborhood bar, also in Grandview, Bob and Mike's place; and his main career, truck driver for Haskins Equipment in Kansas City. After retirement from Haskins, he decided he wasn't done; since he loved working in the yard, he decided to start his own lawncare business, serving many commercial businesses throughout the city well into his late 70s.
In 1983, Bob married Cathy Brown, and they were married 40 1/2 years. They enjoyed many activities together, including eating out, family get-togethers, backyard cook-outs, holiday entertaining, and camping.
Bob was a true do-it-yourselfer- you would often find him either working on his own home projects, or helping friends and family with theirs. Family was everything to him, and if you needed him, or even if you didn't, he was there. He could outwork most people half his age, and loved every minute of it.
If you did manage to catch him in front of the TV, he was probably watching one of 3 things: The Price is Right, a western, or a sports event--specifically, any game involving his beloved Chiefs or Royals. It didn't even have to be a current game--he would re-watch old games in a pinch. Depending on the season, you would not catch Bob out without either a Chiefs or Royals hat on his head.
If you had any type of interaction with Bob Middleton, you probably were the victim of some type of prank- he was quite the trickster. He was so good at it, you would be pulled in against your better judgement, until he cracked that smile that said "Gotcha!" He loved to make people laugh. Some of his favorite "victims" were his sisters- during one of their many card games that would always start up when they were all together, he would get that twinkle in his eye, and everyone knew the fun was about to start.
Bob was preceeded in death by: his father and mother, Oscar and Iva Middleton; sister, Juanita Martin; brother, Don Middleton; half-brother, Mike Middleton; brothers-in-law Rodney Martin, Doyle Cupp, John Hirshey, and Sam Vento; sister-in law, Peggy Middleton; step-daughter Melisssa Brown; great nephews Danny Martinez and Ryan Blevins.
He is survived by: his wife, Cathy Middleton; children Robin Irwin (Tony), Brian Middleton (Janet), and Scott Middleton; step-daughter Karen Jones (Mike); grandchildren Brianna Bruening (Mike), Blake Stiles (Jamie), Grant Stiles (Sara), Zack Middleton (Amanda), Ryan Nelson, Jacquie Nelson, Ashley Rich (Jacob), Michael Irwin (Morgan), and Phillip Irwin; sisters Helen Cupp and Nina Hirshey of Joplin, Mo; and sister Eva Mae of Kansas City Mo. He is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. All remained in his life, and all were special to him.
Visitation will be 1PM, with services to follow at 2PM, Wednesday, March 13 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, Missouri; burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.
He was born July 27, 1936, the youngest of six children of Oscar and Iva Middleton. He spent the first 9 years of his life on a dairy farm in Joplin, Mo, then moved to Kansas City.
He attended East High School, graduating in 1955 and was a stand-out athlete in basketball and baseball. Bob married Helen Hogan in 1956 and they had three children; Robin, Brian, and Scott.
His jobs over the years reflected his many interests- Clipper Mfg in Grandview, Mo; owner of a neighborhood bar, also in Grandview, Bob and Mike's place; and his main career, truck driver for Haskins Equipment in Kansas City. After retirement from Haskins, he decided he wasn't done; since he loved working in the yard, he decided to start his own lawncare business, serving many commercial businesses throughout the city well into his late 70s.
In 1983, Bob married Cathy Brown, and they were married 40 1/2 years. They enjoyed many activities together, including eating out, family get-togethers, backyard cook-outs, holiday entertaining, and camping.
Bob was a true do-it-yourselfer- you would often find him either working on his own home projects, or helping friends and family with theirs. Family was everything to him, and if you needed him, or even if you didn't, he was there. He could outwork most people half his age, and loved every minute of it.
If you did manage to catch him in front of the TV, he was probably watching one of 3 things: The Price is Right, a western, or a sports event--specifically, any game involving his beloved Chiefs or Royals. It didn't even have to be a current game--he would re-watch old games in a pinch. Depending on the season, you would not catch Bob out without either a Chiefs or Royals hat on his head.
If you had any type of interaction with Bob Middleton, you probably were the victim of some type of prank- he was quite the trickster. He was so good at it, you would be pulled in against your better judgement, until he cracked that smile that said "Gotcha!" He loved to make people laugh. Some of his favorite "victims" were his sisters- during one of their many card games that would always start up when they were all together, he would get that twinkle in his eye, and everyone knew the fun was about to start.
Bob was preceeded in death by: his father and mother, Oscar and Iva Middleton; sister, Juanita Martin; brother, Don Middleton; half-brother, Mike Middleton; brothers-in-law Rodney Martin, Doyle Cupp, John Hirshey, and Sam Vento; sister-in law, Peggy Middleton; step-daughter Melisssa Brown; great nephews Danny Martinez and Ryan Blevins.
He is survived by: his wife, Cathy Middleton; children Robin Irwin (Tony), Brian Middleton (Janet), and Scott Middleton; step-daughter Karen Jones (Mike); grandchildren Brianna Bruening (Mike), Blake Stiles (Jamie), Grant Stiles (Sara), Zack Middleton (Amanda), Ryan Nelson, Jacquie Nelson, Ashley Rich (Jacob), Michael Irwin (Morgan), and Phillip Irwin; sisters Helen Cupp and Nina Hirshey of Joplin, Mo; and sister Eva Mae of Kansas City Mo. He is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. All remained in his life, and all were special to him.
Visitation will be 1PM, with services to follow at 2PM, Wednesday, March 13 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, Missouri; burial in Memorial Park Cemetery.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Bob Francis Middleton, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
1:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)
Park Lawn Funeral Homes
Funeral Service
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 pm (Central time)
Park Lawn Funeral Homes
Burial
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
3:00 - 3:15 pm (Central time)
Memorial Park And Green Lawn
Guestbook
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