Robert Lee Stewart, 74, a resident of Fulton, Kansas, died January 15, 2021.

He was born October 25, 1946, in Moran, Kansas, to Myron Leslie Stewart and Barbara Jean (Boyd) Stewart of Xenia, Kansas. Bob, or Bobby, as he was known to family and friends, grew up on the family farm and attended grade school at Xenia. At a very young age, he attended a cattle sale at Fort Scott with Curley Wright and discovered his calling for life as a cattle buyer. He started working at the sale barn when he was 10 or 11 and there was no turning back.

Bob graduated from Blue Mound High School and Fort Scott Junior College Truck Driving School. He worked many years for Capitol Truck Lines and continued as it changed to Graves Truck Lines and ANR Trucking, winning awards from the Teamsters for safe driving. Even with his steady job of delivering locally, he continued going to cattle sales on Saturday, buying and selling for many farmers and ranchers in the area. The only times he missed a sale were when one of his daughters illogically planned a wedding for that day of the week.

Bob married Bernita Eloyse Lalman on January 1, 1967, and together they loved and parented three daughters. Sadly, Eloyse lost her battle with cancer in March, 1976. In late 1977, Bob met and married Karen Dancy, who had a son from her previous marriage. Their blended family became complete when two more daughters were born.

Bob is survived by his wife, Karen, of 43 years of the home in Fulton, along with five daughters: Tammy Brownback and husband Keith of Centerville, Belynda Davenport of Fort Scott, Robin Anderson and husband Rob of Wichita, Kari Messer and husband Josh of Fort Scott, Jodi Silva and husband Paul of Manhattan, Kansas. One son, Rick Stewart and wife Cara of El Dorado, Kansas, and the blessing of a bonus son, Jimmy Turner of Fort Scott.

Also surviving are 11 grandchildren: Brett Brownback and fiancé Taryn, Kaylee Clifton and husband Timmy, Annyssa Davenport, Cooper Anderson, Jadyn Messer, Brady Messer, Lyla Silva, Karsen Silva, Anastasia Stewart, Harley Thornton, Briar Thornton, and 2 great-grandchildren, Kyser Brownback and Remy Brownback.

Bob has 2 sisters that will miss him dearly, Jeanette Church and husband, Robbie of Xenia and Carol Didier and husband, Tom of Wheatland, Missouri. He is also survived by many Stewart and Boyd cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Myron and Barbara Stewart and his first wife, Eloyse Lalman.

A graveside service is planned for 10:00 AM on Friday, January 22, 2021, at Osaga Cemetery, just west of Fulton under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Thursday evening, January 21, 2021, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Osaga Cemetery Fund and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Bob’s truck and cattle trailer will be leading the procession from Konantz Cheney Funeral Home at 9:30 that morning. As Bob would say, “Roll Along!”

Laurence “Larry” Elmer Lyons, age 81, passed away Thursday, January 14, 2021. He was born October 4, 1939 in Fulton, KS, the son of Luther Byron and Lucy Christine (Leitch) Lyons.

He married his lifetime love Patricia “Pat” Henderson on June 21, 1964, in Columbus, MS, and together over the 57 years that followed, they built a life they loved.

At 16 years old, Larry was the top Air Force Academy nominee from the state of Kansas, but he was too young to enroll, so he left the family farm and attended The University of Kansas, and later Park College, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.

He joined the United States Air Force in 1959, entering pilot training and graduating in the Class of ’61 Delta. He went on to complete B-52 training, nuclear weapons delivery school, and Air Force survival school. He flew many active combat missions, including Vietnam, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, where he piloted the first B-52 sent to air carrying nuclear weapons. Larry captained the B-52, C-5, and C-130, and still holds the record as the youngest ever combat-ready B-52 pilot in history. After 20 years of dedicated service to his country, decorated Lieutenant Colonel Laurence Lyons retired from the Air Force in 1979.

Following his military career, Larry happily settled back in Bourbon County, KS where his business endeavors included Petromark and the beloved Lyons Twin Mansions.

In his retirement he enjoyed being a member of ToastMasters, Shriners, Masons, and his local coffee group who solved the world’s problems daily. 

Of all of his storied accomplishments, Larry considered his family to be one of the most important. He was the proud patriarch, and was adored by each of those lucky enough to be considered family, whether a blood relative or otherwise.

He was the loving father of Joe (Laetitia), Preecia (Charles), Ben, and Nate (Bailey), as well as his honorary sons Masa and Clifford. He was the doting grandfather of Zach, Abby, Addi, Emma, Brooklyn, Lauren, Jhett, Jaxon, Lute, Ellis, and Lucille. He was a caring brother to Tom, Jerry, Doc, Betty, Jane, Ruth, Alice, and Peg, as well as Joe and JB, who were like brothers, and was cherished by a number of beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Larry was a treasured patient of a few select medical caregivers who came to be considered family, and the Lyons family extends a very sincere thank you to these special people. Larry will be fondly remembered by all of those listed here, and many more.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a number of siblings. 

Larry was a master on the grill, a gracious provider, a dependable constant, the best hugger, the perfect gentleman, a lifelong scholar and teacher, a calming presence, a chocolate milk maker extraordinaire, a humble hero, a soft personality with firm opinions, a lender of comforting shirts, an encyclopedia of knowledge, an expert navigator with an internal GPS, and a truly gentle soul. He was appropriately referred to by many as simply being “the best man”. 

The Lyons’ home was always open to young people who needed a safe place to go, and Larry was glad to be able to feed and house those that showed up, never asking questions or expecting anything in return.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the USD 234 Pantry to continue Larry’s legacy of “feeding the world”, which was his way of expressing love.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 20^th, at the U. S. National Cemetery.

Friends are welcome but must remain on the road adjacent to the committal shelter wearing face-covering as directed by the cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the U. S. Airforce Honor guard.

Donations to the USD 234 Pantry may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.