Robert Dale "Bob" Garner was born March 16, 1927, to Robert Alexander and Cora DeArman Garner in Pyletown, Missouri. He departed from this life on November 7, 2020, at Winchester Place in Bernie, Missouri, at the age of 93.
He married Maxine Clary on July 13, 1950, in PIggott, Arkansas, and then moved to Michigan for work. After the birth of their fourth child, they returned to Missouri and settled near the family farm.
Bob served in Korea during World War II, and worked many years in construction before establishing Busy B's Lumber in Dexter, Missouri. He believed deeply in hard work. Problems could be solved by waking up earlier and staying later--and if that didn't work, baling wire and duct tape usually did.
He enjoyed riding, training, and showing Tennessee Walking horses. He was a regular attendee at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee. His love of horses led him to taking grandchildren on long trail rides with the Cardiac Cowboys.
Bob was a New Testament Christian and a member of the Church of Christ at Dexter, Missouri. He was a humble and serious follower of Jesus who never stopped studying and learning.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Maxine Garner, of Dexter; daughters Debby (Vernon) Allen of Dexter and Vicki (Phillip) Walker of Bartlett, Tennessee; and sons Ron (Julie) Garner and Scott (Emily) Garner, both of Dexter, and one daughter-in-law Jody Garner of Dyersburg, TN; 15 grandchildren, and 24 great- grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Marvin (Evelyn) Garner and one sister, Maxine Gillis, both of Dexter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lester, Ivan, Hubert, Chester, Larry, Lewis, and Loyd Garner and sisters Myrl Cook, Emma Stallion, and Norma Grubbs. He was also preceded in death by one son, Donald Garner.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the Dexter church of Christ. The funeral will follow at 11:00 AM with Jeremy Tucker officiating. Grandsons Justin Allen, Jeremy Allen, Bobby Garner, Sam Garner, Alex Garner, John Garner, Phillip Walker, Jr. and Stephen Walker will serve as pallbearers.
Interment will follow at Caroline Dowdy Cemetery, with Mathis Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Children's Home, Inc., in Paragould, Arkansas, or Bootheel Youth Camp, in Bloomfield, Missouri.
