Bob Sullivant

Bobby “Bob” Gerald Sullivant, son of the late Irvin and Audrey (Austin) Sullivant, was born September 13, 1929, in Mountain Grove, Missouri, and passed away July 31, 2022, in North Kansas City, Missouri. He was 92 years old.

Bob grew up in the Mountain Grove area and graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1947. After graduating, he worked for Brown Shoe Company until he moved to Kansas City to enlist in the Navy. Bob married Phyllis Hyde from Mountain Grove on May 25, 1950. The couple had three sons together, Curt, Steve and Gregory Scott and recently celebrated 72 years of marriage.

Bob joined the United States Navy in 1951 and served at the Olathe Naval Air Station, in Olathe, Kansas, until being honorably discharged in 1953.

After leaving the Navy, Bob began work as a carpenter for Mor-Ford Drywall in Independence, Missouri. He worked for the family-owned company until he retired in 1992. While at Mor-Ford he held roles as carpenter, foreman, estimator, and superintendent. Bob’s ability to manager more than one hundred men in the field was aided by being soft-spoken, honest, tough, and fair.

After retirement, Bob and Phyllis traveled in their RV across the country enjoying many hobbies, including hunting, fishing, and attending gospel music festivals. When traveling became more challenging, they settled at Roaring River State Park where they spent their time trout fishing and enjoying the outdoors.

One of the most important parts of Bob’s life was his faith in God. He served as a deacon at Norfleet Baptist Church for more than 30 years. He remained active at Beacon Free Will Baptist Church as long as his health allowed.

Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by one brother, Junior Sullivant, and one sister, Joyce Todd.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Sullivant, three sons, Curt Sullivant (Terri) of Lake Mary, Florida, Steve Sullivant (Cindy) of Liberty, Missouri, and Gregory Scott Sullivant (Elle) of Leesburg, Virginia, 7 grandchildren, Stephanie Kleyh (Jacob), Christopher Sullivant (Kayli), Tyler Sullivant (Molly), Spencer Sullivant (Jordin), Amanda Sullivant (Dustin Rauh), Chloe Sulllivant, and Katie Sullivant, and 8 great-grandchildren, Kennedy, James, Madison, Pierce, Luke, Loren, Reece, Ivy and two more on the way, three sisters, Mayvis Allen (Lyle) of Madera, California, Elizabeth Walker (Bill) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Sharon Sullivant of Mountain Grove, Missouri, as well as many other relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.