Bob was born on November 24, 1934, the youngest of eight children born to Thomas and Mable Lagree. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jackie, his parents and all of his siblings. Bob and Jackie were married July 4, 1954 in Burrton, Kansas and were married for 60 years, parting only when Jackie passed away in 2014.
Bob lived a full life, retiring early from Texaco Oil so that he could devote more time to missionary work and his many hobbies. When his daughter, Cindy, learned the art of jewelry making in high school, Bob was immediately eager to master the skills and he created many beautiful pieces for family and friends, as well as a considerable number of commissioned pieces. He had a lifelong love of the mountains and the family spent many summers enjoying the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. In later years, Bob spent time at daughter Jeanne’s and son-in-law Michael’s cabin in Creede, Colorado indulging in another hobby, helping with renovations. He and his son, Steve, shared a love of the outdoors and spent hours talking about hunting and guns. His family was always on hand as he developed his self-taught skills in gunsmithing, baking (there was the year of bread), gardening, winemaking (thankfully short-lived), smoking his famous ribs, collecting a vast variety of interesting objects, antiques, and art. In his later years, he spent hours at the Ark Valley Gun Club in the trap shooting league and spent time with his extended family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He had a tireless inquisitive nature, loved learning, and could fix anything.
Bob and Jackie made many wonderful memories while traveling all over the world - especially on mission trips with Men for Missions (now known as One Mission Society). They traveled to the Andes Mountains in Ecuador, Spain, Russia, Africa, Mexico and Estonia. They also took mission trips to New Zealand, Australia, China and Hong Kong. And, of course, they traveled all over the United States, too.
Bob is survived by daughters, Cynthia Nolte (Keith) and Jeanne Slusher (Michael); son, Steven Lagree (Marsha) and grandsons Reed Nolte, Joshua Luce (Vicki), Stephan Lagree (Sierra Hearn) and granddaughter, Abby Edwards (Ron), as well as his bonus grandchildren Kacey Slusher (Amy), Morgan Davis, Alex Nolte (Erika), Austin Berry and Ali Walters. Bob also had great grandchildren Ian Luce, Erin Luce, Emory Luce, Barrett Slusher, Scarlett Slusher, and Ella Davis.
Bob was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church in El Dorado and the family requests that donations be made to the church in lieu of flowers. Donations may be sent to First Baptist Church, Robert Lagree Memorial, 315 W. Central, El Dorado, KS 67042.
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