Bob L. Alford, 85, of Springfield, MO, died November 3, 2018 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, MO.

Bob was born May 18, 1933 to Lavell and Rachel Alford in Niangua, MO. Raised in the Niangua area, he graduated in 1951 from Niangua High School where he played basketball and fell in love with the preacher's daughter. Bob married Paula Mayfield on August 15, 1953.

A veteran of the Korean War, Bob joined the Army in May of 1953 and completed Basic Training at Fort Riley, KS. He served as SGT in the 25 ^th Infantry Division in Korea. Upon returning from the war, Bob went to work at Kraft Foods and worked there until retiring in 1994.

Family, golf, country music, stock car races, travel and sitting by the swimming pool or in the backyard in the sun were a few of his favorite things. He always had a killer tan, part of his Cherokee heritage, and he loved to hold his arm up to paler family members and grin. He loved High School basketball, and the Blue and Gold tournament was something he never missed until his health prevented him from attending. He attended for over 50 years from the first game until the championship game, sitting in the same seat, one row behind the announcers, with his buddies.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Randy, and a brother, Bill.

Bob is survived by his wife, Paula; daughters Jennifer Hoover and husband Rod of Springfield, and Lisa Hight and husband Kevin of Springfield; son, Chris Alford of Rogersville; five granddaughters, Ashley Schuette and husband Ryan, Haley Gillespie and husband Nathaniel, Adrienne Mark and husband Scott, Kaitlyn Alford, and Christin Alford; grandson Hayden Hight, and nine great-grandchildren; Deontae and Cierah Warren, Boone, Georgia and Caroline Schuette, Emma and Jack Gillespie, and Sutton and Campbell Mark.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 6, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, also at the Funeral Home.