Bob G. Lanham, age 81, of Joplin, Mo., passed away at 9:12 p.m. Dec. 18, 2011, at home surrounded by his wife and children.
Bob was born Dec. 11, 1930, in Joplin, and resided in Joplin most of his life. He attended school at the tornado ravaged Irving, South, Joplin High School and graduated with an associate degree in business administration from Columbia College.
He married Sandra McBee Nov. 20, 1956, in Miami, Okla.
He joined the Joplin Fire Department in 1956, and retired as a Captain in March 31, 1980.
The fire department was a large family that worked and played hard together. His sense of humor, storytelling and spirited nature was developed even more working with those men. They laughed as much as they fought fires. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was stationed in Washington, California and Guam.
Bob was a lifelong athlete. He boxed in the Golden Gloves winning the 1949 and 1950 Featherweight Golden Gloves Championship in Joplin and Miami. He boxed for the Navy from 1951 to 1955, winning many titles, including the Light Welterweight Champion of the 13th Naval District in 1954 and the West Coast title. He qualified for the Olympic trials while waiting for new orders while stationed in Bremerton, Wash. After leaving the service, Bob continued his love of singing, playing golf and the guitar which started during his naval service in Guam. Bob was active in the Joplin Bow Hunters Club and served as vice-president. He also won many tournaments and captured first place honors in the Springdale, Ark. Invitational Archery meet. Bob was active in the Joplin Golf Association for many years. He loved playing golf with his buddies seeing who could tell the best stories and would take Dudes donuts to the gang. Louis L’Amour was his favorite western author and read those books over and over until they fell apart. He passed that love of reading on to his children and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years of marriage, Sandra; son, Joseph and wife, Maranda; two daughters, Shelly and Delores; five grandchildren, Colby Newman and wife, Meleony, Sean LaDue, Matt LaDue, Grace Livingston and Jaxson Lanham; brother, Mike Slyman; and sister, Judy Welch. He is also survived by an extended family and close friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Lacy and Irene; and two sisters, Pat and Delores.