Joseph Albert Bohrer, 84, of Springfield, Missouri, died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Cox Medical Center.

Joe was born July 4, 1939, in West Plains, Missouri, the first child of Albert and Alberta Bohrer. A star athlete in basketball, football, and track, he was a proud Zizzer who graduated from West Plains High School in 1957 before attending Drury University, where he excelled academically, was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, and was honored as one of Drury's "Seven Sages" in his senior year. He went on to study law at Washington University and passed the Missouri Bar in the fall of 1964, just before joining the Air Force in November. After a training stint for legal officers at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, he was assigned to Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina before being deployed at the rank of Captain to serve as assistant staff judge advocate for the 337th Combat Support Group at Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon, Vietnam, in 1966. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious service in this role.

An active member of the Missouri Bar, Joe was well known in legal circles throughout the state. After returning to Springfield in 1967, he joined the firm of Neale, Newman, Bradshaw, Freeman and Neale. He later became a partner in the firm of Yates, Mauck, Bohrer, Elliff, & Fels and remained with the firm until his retirement. Joe was especially skilled with transportation law, real estate law, and litigation.

On October 12, 1967, Joe married Yvonne Stanton at National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield. Joe and Yvonne were active members of the community, supporting a variety of civic and cultural organizations, including the Springfield Art Museum and the Downtown Springfield Association, just to name a few. Joe and Yvonne enjoyed spending time at their cabin at Lindenlure, playing golf and tennis, traveling, and cheering on the Drury and MSU men's basketball teams.

After the death of Yvonne in 2011, Joe continued to lead an active life with his many Springfield friends and the companionship of Mary Fry.  Joe and Mary spent many happy hours traveling in the United States and abroad.

Throughout his life, Joe loved sports and was an avid cycler, runner, and tennis, golf, and volleyball player. An ardent reader and informed citizen who actively followed local and national news, Joe loved meeting people and was known for being a witty, thoughtful, and engaging conversationalist.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Yvonne. He is survived by his sister, Jennie Bohrer Storey, Signal Mountain, Tenn.; stepdaughter, Pamela (Rusty) Manes, Springfield; step-nephew, John (Jill) Sanders; friend and companion, Mary Fry, Springfield; nieces Margaret Storey (Jonathan Heller) and Sarah Storey, Evanston, Ill.; two step-grandchildren, one step-great-grandchild, one grand-niece, and his beloved dog, Rosie.

Services will be held at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 2 PM. The family will receive visitors at a reception following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Drury University Fortify the Future Campaign, 900 N. Benton Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802 or Ozarks Food Harvest, 2810 N. Cedarbrook, Springfield, MO 65803.