Sammie Joe Minor

Sammie Joe Minor, 90, was born in 1929 to Roy and Lilly Minor.
He graduated from Fair Grove High School in 1947 and married his wife in 1950. He was drafted into the Korean War in 1951, serving in the Army. After his military service, he was employed by the Springfield Fire Department, where he worked until 1969, when job-related health issues forced his retirement.
He was a longtime resident of Halltown. He was a life long volunteer, dedicated to youth, as a Boy Scout scoutmaster, coaching basketball teams at the Springfield Boys’ Club, and coaching baseball teams in the Kiwanis Club baseball program. He was particularly proud of the baseball team Superior Tilers, which he coached. After retirement, he managed the Optimist Club’s Youth Center and was the director of the local soapbox derby one year. He also loved to ride horses, boating and water skiing on Table Rock Lake. Over the years he was a member of the Odd Fellows, Optimist Club and VFW. As a VFW member he participated in honor guard ceremonies.
Minor is survived by: sister, Faye Price; sons, Chris (Karen) and Mike; one granddaughter; one grandson; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by: his wife of 69 years, Mary Barbara Minor in May of this year; and brother, Clearance Minor.
Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut Street in Springfield.  Funeral services will begin at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield with Full Military Honors. Memorials may be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield, 1410 N. Fremont Avenue, Springfield, Mo. 54802. Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.