Robert C. “Bob” Eldridge, 88, passed away peacefully at home on November 23, 2018. Born July 21, 1930, to Hilrey C. and Nola Carey Eldridge, Bob was the youngest of six.
Bob grew up in the Kearney area and graduated from Kearney High School in 1947, a class of 13 lifetime friends including his best friend, Jimmie Thomason. Bob was very proud of his service in the U.S. Marine Corps, being deployed with the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Marine Division in the combat zone during the Korean Conflict. Bob married Jo Ann Short in Excelsior Springs on April 25, 1953, celebrating their 65th Anniversary earlier this year.
He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann; daughter, Jennifer and her husband, Mark Pederson; son, Jim Eldridge; granddaughter, Emily Ann Eldridge and grandson, Matthew David Eldridge; brother-in-law, Jerry Short; sister-in-law, Hazel Short Livingston; and many loving nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, David Roy Eldridge; daughter-in-law, Linda Morgan Eldridge; brothers, Donald Eldridge and Kenneth Eldridge; sisters, Maurine Billings, Edna McIntire and Ruth Ruddle Weber.
Bob was self employed his entire work career, operating Bob Eldridge Enterprises with wife, Jo Ann, building ponds, terraces, lakes and roads in the area. He and Jo Ann worked in real estate and enjoyed many successful land development partnerships.
Bob was honored to serve on the Board of Directors of the Kearney Trust Company for 25 years. He served on the Kearney Board of Aldermen for 11 years. He was a Mason and Past Master of Kearney Lodge No. 311 and a member of the VFW Post in Kearney. Bob was a charter member and actively involved in the Community Covenant Church in Kearney. He loved his Church family.
Bob served on the Committee that developed the Clay County Regional Airport. He made many friends through his love of flying and was a member of the Roosterville EAA Chapter 612.
The family is deeply appreciative of Dr. Demetrios Maragos and his excellent professional staff, and wants to thank the equally outstanding nursing staff of the Kansas City Hospice for their loving care and comfort given to Bob and family.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 28, 2018, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., with memorial services following, both at the Community Covenant Church in Kearney. Inurnment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the 2020 Vision Fund of the Community Covenant Church, P.O. Box 318, Kearney, MO 64060.
Our Sincere Condolences
My condolences to the Eldridge family at this time of loss. Bob was a good man and although I didn’t see him often, he always had a kind word. May God comfort you.
Dennis Carlson
Jim and Family,
So sorry for your loss. He was a very nice man. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Drew Kingery
I was raised in Kearney and moved to KC in 1970. Always remember Bob’s smile. Wherever I ran into him in later years (at Legends or my Aunt Jeri’s birthday party) that smile was still big and bright. Part of the heart of Kearney.
Judi Clemons Williams
I will miss my conversations with Bob. He was such a kind and gentle man. He was always there for me whenever I needed anything. Every time we visited he would ask me to come back and visit again. I will miss him. As the minister of the Kearney Church of Christ, I would like to share with others how much he did for the church. He was a great neighbor.
Richard Dodson
My sincere condolences, Jim. Yes, he was a precious man, always had a smile & pleasant comment. I know you will miss him, but he is now at true peace. God bless you and your family at this time of your loss.
Zoe Ruechel
Lots of great memories of our good neighbor and friend. He had a great smile and love for his community. Love and Prayers to his entire family.
Donald Decker and Frances Decker Roach
My prayers and condolences to the family for your loss. You were blessed with Bob’s love and I will always treasure his friendship We have so many memories to look back to; his smile, his laughter, and always his positive outlook. Rest in peace, my friend.
Jim Thomason
We send our deepest sympathies, though we know Bob is with Jesus in Heaven celebrating with all who have gone before him !!!!!
We pray for your hearts and lives, as we know he is greatly missed. We love all of you. His legacy of God and Family and Country will live on in every generation to come.
God Bless all of you during this time.
With Love, Alan, Liz, Cassie, Sarah Jones and our grandson Kai (Jones) Moore