Richard Sheldon "Dick" DeForest, 86, died peacefully at Magnolia Square, Springfield, Missouri on June 27, 2013. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 1, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the North Nixa Baptist Church in Nixa, Missouri under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visitation will be Sunday, from 3 pm to 5 pm at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home with graveside services to be held at the Woodbine Cemetery, Woodbine, Iowa, at a later date. Dick was the youngest of four brothers born on the family farm, December 19, 1926, in Woodbine, Iowa to Jesse Lonzo and Hazel Fern (Siler) DeForest. He grew up in the Woodbine area and graduated from Woodbine High School, where he was known for his boxing skills during his high school career. On October 15, 1949, Dick married Bette Marie Shepherd in Omaha, NE and they had two daughters, Christine Crump and Laurie Stawsky. Dick was very proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed sharing stories of their many accomplishments. His greatest talent was simply his warm and witty personality to friends and strangers alike and most of all he loved to be a big tease. Dick was a zone manager for Tractor Supply Company for twenty-five years. While with Tractor Supply Company, Dick and Bette moved to many different states and cities, spending nine years in Fresno, CA. In 1969 Dick was transferred to Denver, Colorado and in April of 1971 he decided to go into business for himself and moved the family to Rocky Ford, Colorado, where they owned and operated the Gambles store. In 1978 Dick and Bette sold the Gambles store in Rocky Ford and moved to Granby, Colorado, where they continued to operate Gambles. After Bette's death, Dick married Connie Peralta and they moved to Springfield, MO where he worked at Race Brothers Farm Supply with his brother Max and nephews, Roger and Craig DeForest, until he retired in 2009. Dick is survived by his daughter Christine (Randy) Crump of Rocky Ford; brothers William "Bill" DeForest of Fremont, NE and Max DeForest of Springfield, MO as well as grandchildren, Crystal (Duane) Lange of Fowler, Hillary (Anthony) Merwin of Rocky Ford, April Thurston and Rachel Thurston of Tabernash, Henry Crump of Sugar City and Emery Crump of Woodland Park, Colorado. He also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, brother Delvin DeForest, daughter Laurie Stawsky, and his wives, Bette Marie DeForest, and Connie DeForest, and sister-in-laws, Myrna DeForest, Eldora DeForest, Berneice DeForest and Fern DeForest and special nephew Lloyd DeForest. The family suggests donations to the Alzheimer's Association, 1630 West Elfindale St., Springfield, MO 65807 in lieu of flowers.