Robert Lemons

Robert N. Lemons, 91, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Bob was born Dec. 10, 1927, in St. Louis the son of Katherine Snell Lemons. He married Doris Bowden on June 16, 1951, at Grace Methodist Church.

He was a 1945 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School and a graduate of Columbia College with a Bachelor of Arts in history.

Bob was a career military man, beginning in 1945 as a private and retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1980, after 35 years of service. His last duty assignment was at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He distinguished himself as a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and National Security Management from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington.

He was a certified leader trainer for the Arthritis Foundation's Self-Help program, along with being a certified lay speaker for United Methodist Church. As a lay leader, Bob spoke at more than 45 Methodist churches in the Southeast Missouri district.

He is survived by his daughter, Robyn S. Lemons Albright-Seals (Michael) of Cape Girardeau; three grandchildren, Justin Albright (Athena) of Cape Girardeau, Lindsay Albright VanGennip (Scott) of O'Fallon, Illinois, and Katelyn Albright of St. Louis; four great-grandchildren, Grant, Logan and Chase VanGennip and Haley Albright; two brothers, Bud Lemons of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Bruce Lemons of Dallas; and other relatives.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Doris Bowden.

Family and friends may gather from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Crain Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with Pastor Fred Burgard officiating. A private interment service will be held at Fairmount Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be made to Maple United Methodist Church.

To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.