Donald Richard Mobley, D.V.M., devoted son, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully on Tuesday,October 5, 2010, at the age of 78.
The son of Harold and Thelma, he was born and raised in Springfield and Bois ‘d Arc, Mo. Don was a graduate of Springfield Central High School ‘50. Don earned an undergraduate degree from Southwest Missouri State and boxed with the 449 Club in Springfield, Mo., where he won the Missouri Golden Gloves Bantam-weight title in 1950.
Upon graduation from Southwest Missouri State, Don entered the United States Army and was eventually assigned to their Veterinary Corp. Don met his future bride, Anna R. Yeager, while stationed in Louisville, Ky. After their marriage in 1957, Don and Anna moved to Columbia, Mo., where he attended the University of Missouri and earned his Masters in Agriculture and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation in 1962, the family moved to Willard, Mo. Don practiced veterinary medicine for 21 years and served as an officer of the Missouri Veterinary Association. He sold his practice when he took a job with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, where he worked for another 20 years before retiring in 2000.
Don was an active supporter of Missouri State men’s and women’s athletics. He also enjoyed entertaining and educating 5th graders as a docent for the Gray-Campbell Farmstead in Springfield. His previous activities included the Lion’s Club, Boy Scouts of America, 4-H Club, and the Greene County Republican Party.
Don is preceded in death by his father, Harold W. Mobley; and brother, Harold G. Mobley and his wife Florence. He is survived by his mother, Thelma (Potter) Mobley-Luttrell; wife, Anna (Yeager); daughter, Susie; son, John Patrick; son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Gabirielle; and grandson, Michael.
A memorial service will be held in Greenlawn North Funeral Home on Monday, October 11, 2010, at 10 a.m. Visitation will be Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m., in the funeral home.
In lieu offlowers, donations may be made to: The Friends of Gray-Campbell Farmstead, P.O. Box 127, Willard, MO, 65781;St. John’s Hospice Care, 1570 West Battlefield, Springfield,MO 65807 and the American Cancer Society .