Douglas Clark Bartley

1946 - 2023

Douglas Clark Bartley
Jan. 16, 1946 – Jan. 31, 2023

Douglas Clark Bartley, age 77, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023, at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by family due to complications from Multiple Myeloma and blood cancer that he fought since November 2016.

Doug was born on Jan. 16, 1946, in Omaha, Neb., the day his father was taking a final for medical school. Doug was one of five children born to Richard and Virginia (Rupert) Bartley.

Doug grew up in Sully and Audubon, where he was active in the Methodist Church and Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle in 1962. He lettered in high school football, track and band, graduating in May of 1964. He would continue his education at Nebraska Wesleyan University, in Lincoln, and graduate in 1968 majoring in Economics.

Doug met the love of his life, Linda Colvin, while working summers during college at Kirkwood Lodge in Osage Beach, Mo. They were married on Sept. 21, 1968, in Smithville, Mo. and were blessed with 54 years of marriage.

Serving his country in the United States Navy, from November 1968 until August 1972, he and Linda were stationed in Norfolk, Va. He had duty stations at US Naval Schools Command, the USS Kittiwake, and the NISO Norfolk. After leaving the Navy they moved to Denver, where Doug earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Denver.

Doug put his degree to good use and began his professional career managing hotels. Over twenty years he managed four hotels: Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge, Lake Ozark, Mo.; Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge, Lenexa, Kan.; Best Western, Blue Springs, Mo.; and Guesthouse Suites and Apartments in Lenexa, Kan. He was always involved in the local Chambers of Commerce and even served as president of the Lake Ozark Chamber when they joined with the Osage Beach Chamber, to form what today is a powerful organization promoting the Lake of the Ozarks.

After 20 years in hotel management, Doug became partners in an old laundromat in Midtown, Kansas City for 10 years. When repairing washers and dryers became too large and technical, Doug and Linda started their last business, repairing dental drills.

During 30 years in Lenexa, Kan., Doug was an active member of the Lenexa United Methodist Church. He served on the Finance Committee and Administrative Board, for many years, while he was church treasurer for 13 years. His favorite role was trustee, caring for the church property. Doug and Linda helped start the mission team of "older" couples, called the S.A.L.T.Y. P.E.A.N.U.T.S. The group made mission trips to places all the way from western Kansas to southern Texas, doing painting, roofing, plumbing, ramp building, etc.

Doug and Linda moved to Jefferson City in 2013 and he has been an active member of First United Methodist Church. He was a volunteer driver for the Disabled American Veterans, helped on the Habitat for Humanity Can Crew, worked on the First Methodist "helping hands" group that made repairs on the church building, was a donor Ambassador for the Red Cross and a Patient Ambassador at St. Mary's Hospital. For a few months he helped build hand-propelled carts for those in Kenya who had lost a use of their legs.

Doug and Linda traveled some with Road Scholar, especially looking forward to trips with their grandkids, Chuck, Sam and Georgia on multigenerational trips. They also traveled with "Learning in Retirement". Woodworking was a hobby all his life. Doug had a love for refinishing furniture, where exposing the original wood grain of a piece brought great satisfaction. He refinished a variety of pieces from when he and Linda were first married, family heirlooms and even a church podium.

He loved time with his family, especially playing dominoes, clue (using questionable strategies), old maid (he was always the old maid), and scrabble. He was known as "Rocketman" by many because he came to school each year, starting with his grandchildren and continuing with Jenny and Sarah's classes making and shooting rockets (powered by air compressor) with paper towel tubes. He did this for over 20 years! He was also proud to help start a Montessori School in Eldon where his daughters were one of the first students. He always put family first in life and they will remember his quick wit, great smile and loving nature.

Survivors include: his loving wife, Linda Bartley; two daughters, Jenny Uptergrove (Drew) of Jefferson City, Mo. and Sarah Fox (Josh) of Springfield, Mo.; three siblings, Rick Bartley of Branson, Mo., Kathy Killebrew (Flav) of Canyon, Texas, and Jim Bartley of Arvada, Colo.; five grandchildren, Justin (Cheyanne), Kody(Zoe), Chuck, Sam and Georgia; five great-grandchildren, Avielle, Adeline, Autumn, Baker and Ellie; two brothers-in-law, Larry Colvin and Randy Colvin (Anita); and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Virginia Bartley.

Visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, with a Celebration of Doug's Life following at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Trevor Dancer officiating. Military honors will follow his service at the church. Please note his memorial service will be held in several weeks.

A webcast of Doug's Service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, for friends that are not able to attend by going First United Methodist Church's website, www.jcfumc.org.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to River City Habitat for Humanity's Can Team, First United Methodist Church; the Lenexa United Methodist Church; or the charity of the donor's choice by mailing all donations to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.

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