Robert C. "Bob" Eldridge

1930 - 2018

Robert C. "Bob" Eldridge 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 3 rd Battalion of the 1 st Marine Division in the combat zone during the Korean Conflict. Bob married Jo Ann Short in Excelsior Springs on April 25, 1953, celebrating their 65 th 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, 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. Demetrius 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 th , 10:00 a.m. 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.