Obituary for Donald R. Stubblefield
Mr. Donald Raymond Stubblefield, age 73, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023, at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital.
Don was born December 19, 1949, in Springfield, Mo., the son of Herbert Lee “Herb” and Mary Lucille (Hubbard) Stubblefield.
Don was united in marriage to the love of his life, Lynda Mae Kirby on June 12, 1971 in Springfield, Mo. They were blessed with 51 years of marriage with Lynda preceding him in death on August 15, 2022. His family finds comfort that Don was not apart from Lynda long in this world.
He attended elementary school in the Springfield area and graduated from Parkview High School in 1967. While in high school, he was involved with Future Business Leaders of America and Boy Scouts of America. Don later became an Eagle Scout and went to Philmont Scout Ranch to participate in a ten-day camp.
He continued his education at Southwest Missouri State University (now known as Missouri State University) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation. For two years in college, he participated in ROTC.
Don was employed for 33 years with the Department of Corrections as a Recreation Officer until his retirement on December 31, 2008. He treated all the inmates with respect and compassion through those years and they affectionately called him “Stubs”. Many after they would get out of prison, would come and visit with him when they saw him around town.
To know Don is to know his love of sports. He proudly served as an official for over 53 years in basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball. He umpired baseball, softball and volleyball games throughout the years and even had a few broken noses from officiating. Recently, he spent time observing the younger officials for MSHAA and enjoyed mentoring his peers. Don cherished the relationships he made with other officials and has many lifelong friends from his many years of service. Not only did he officiate, but he spent several years playing in a top golf league at Redfield and bowling with his brother, Blaine, when they were younger.
Don was an active member of First United Methodist Church. Don and Lynda both volunteered for the Missouri State Archives working on projects – one task included scanning all of the Missouri Supreme court cases from 1812 to the completion of the Civil War. Their most recent project was digitizing historical photographs of inmates for the Department of Corrections.
He was always there for Lynda and Rose Mary and would do anything to support the two of them. Recently, he loved the role of Grandpa and was attending many dance recitals to support his granddaughters. Don cherished all the friends he met along his way and enjoyed going to dinner with them. He will be remembered for his kindness, social personality, and patient demeanor with others.
Survivors include: his daughter, Rose Mary Hose (Greg) of Downers Grove, Ill.; his granddaughters, Evelyn Hose and Hannah Hose; his brother, Blaine Stubblefield of Springfield, Mo.; brother-in-law, John Kirby (Michelle) of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; cousins, Alan Hubbard (Mindy) and Jeannie Hunt (Al); and a host of friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Lynda.
Visitation for Don will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, 2023.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2023, at First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Karen Taylor officiating. Private graveside services and entombment will be held at the Columbarium at Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Habitat for Humanity or Friends of the Archives by mailing all donations to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Don was born December 19, 1949, in Springfield, Mo., the son of Herbert Lee “Herb” and Mary Lucille (Hubbard) Stubblefield.
Don was united in marriage to the love of his life, Lynda Mae Kirby on June 12, 1971 in Springfield, Mo. They were blessed with 51 years of marriage with Lynda preceding him in death on August 15, 2022. His family finds comfort that Don was not apart from Lynda long in this world.
He attended elementary school in the Springfield area and graduated from Parkview High School in 1967. While in high school, he was involved with Future Business Leaders of America and Boy Scouts of America. Don later became an Eagle Scout and went to Philmont Scout Ranch to participate in a ten-day camp.
He continued his education at Southwest Missouri State University (now known as Missouri State University) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation. For two years in college, he participated in ROTC.
Don was employed for 33 years with the Department of Corrections as a Recreation Officer until his retirement on December 31, 2008. He treated all the inmates with respect and compassion through those years and they affectionately called him “Stubs”. Many after they would get out of prison, would come and visit with him when they saw him around town.
To know Don is to know his love of sports. He proudly served as an official for over 53 years in basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball. He umpired baseball, softball and volleyball games throughout the years and even had a few broken noses from officiating. Recently, he spent time observing the younger officials for MSHAA and enjoyed mentoring his peers. Don cherished the relationships he made with other officials and has many lifelong friends from his many years of service. Not only did he officiate, but he spent several years playing in a top golf league at Redfield and bowling with his brother, Blaine, when they were younger.
Don was an active member of First United Methodist Church. Don and Lynda both volunteered for the Missouri State Archives working on projects – one task included scanning all of the Missouri Supreme court cases from 1812 to the completion of the Civil War. Their most recent project was digitizing historical photographs of inmates for the Department of Corrections.
He was always there for Lynda and Rose Mary and would do anything to support the two of them. Recently, he loved the role of Grandpa and was attending many dance recitals to support his granddaughters. Don cherished all the friends he met along his way and enjoyed going to dinner with them. He will be remembered for his kindness, social personality, and patient demeanor with others.
Survivors include: his daughter, Rose Mary Hose (Greg) of Downers Grove, Ill.; his granddaughters, Evelyn Hose and Hannah Hose; his brother, Blaine Stubblefield of Springfield, Mo.; brother-in-law, John Kirby (Michelle) of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; cousins, Alan Hubbard (Mindy) and Jeannie Hunt (Al); and a host of friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Lynda.
Visitation for Don will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 24, 2023.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2023, at First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Karen Taylor officiating. Private graveside services and entombment will be held at the Columbarium at Riverview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Habitat for Humanity or Friends of the Archives by mailing all donations to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.