Robert Ray “Bob” Kilby, a life-long resident of Louisiana, Mo., died peacefully on Dec. 11, 2024, on his 97th birthday. Bob was born Dec. 11,1927, to Samuel Ray Kilby and Elizabeth Capps Kilby. As a young boy, Bob spent his early years working alongside his dad and younger brother, Charlie, on the family farm. He had a love of farming and taking care of the animals, especially dogs. Some of his favorite hobbies were raising Labrador retrievers, duck hunting with good friends, hosting family fish fries, and annually planting and harvesting his large vegetable garden. Sharing home-grown vegetables with his neighbors and friends brought him great joy!

As a young adult, Bob began his sales career at International Harvester selling farm equipment. He later went to work for John Deere, where he won several outstanding sales awards throughout his career. Bob also had a love and a servant’s heart for community service. He was an active member of The Elks Lodge No. 791 for 70 years; he was a volunteer fireman with the Louisiana Fire Department for 27 years and Fire Chief for 13 years; he was a Trimble House Trustee for 41 years and a board member of Louisiana Housing for eight years; he was a member of The Odd Fellows Lodge for 45 years; and he was a 75-year member of Centenary United Methodist Church.

Bob’s mother, Elizabeth Capps Kilby; father, Samuel Ray Kilby; brother, Charles Kilby; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Kilby; son, Robert Kimball Anderson; and wife, Charlotte Moore, died earlier.

He is survived by his long-time loving partner and caregiver, Delores Blackwell; daughter, Kara Lidell (husband Craig) of Arlington, Texas; six grandchildren: Amanda Jennings (husband Adam), Tara Lockhart (husband Ryan), Jarrett Lidell (wife April), Connor Lidell, Ethan Anderson, and Mallory Anderson Vivar (husband Nic); 13 great- grandchildren: Austin and Avery Jennings; Holden, Gentry, and Landry Kate Lockhart; Abbie, Aila, Caden, Jolee, and Jackson Lidell; Wyatt and Laney Anderson; and Theodore Vivar; nephews: Michael Kilby (wife Sue) and Ronald Kilby (wife Christy); great-nieces and nephews: Faye, Kaitlin, Chase, and Charlie Kilby; and cousins: Mary Lou Tucker (husband Donnie).

The Celebration of Life Services will be on Jan. 3, 2025, at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Louisiana, Mo. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until time of service at 3 p.m. Interment of his ashes will follow at the Riverview Cemetery in Louisiana, Mo., and a reception will be at the Elks Lodge at 4:30 p.m.

Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Kilby, Ronald Kilby, Adam Jennings, Craig Lidell, Mel Manier, Roger Ehrhardt, Hayden Adkison, and Jim Branham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Bob’s honor to Elks Lodge No. 791, The Trimble House, or Centenary United Methodist Church.

Collier Funeral Home in Louisiana, Mo., was in charge of arrangements.