Burl Donald Grose
7/4/1921—4/8/2014

Born to Orville and Bessie Grose in Elk Creek, MO, Burl was active in sports and FFA at Cabool High School where he met the love of his life, Lousia Pugh, whom he married in 1941. He served with the First Marine Division in the South Pacific during WWII. After returning, he moved his family to Springfield and worked for Frisco Transportation. He realized he was a natural salesman and began a long and fulfilling career, charming people into buying things. He worked for Wolverine Shoes, Holsum Bread, Quinn’s Coffee, Kitty Clover Potato Chips, and Sysco Supply, winning customers, awards and promotions. He continued to work until his mid 80’s when he stopped to care for Lousia until her death in 2009. His other passions were sports officiating, golf, bowling, and bragging about his kids and grandkids. He was active in the Marine Corps League, the Elks, a member of Schweitzer United Methodist Church and for a number of years a Marshall for the Payne Stewart PGA Golf tournament. The Missouri House of Representatives honored Burl with a special proclamation on his 90th birthday.
He never met a man he wouldn’t shake hands with or a woman he wouldn’t hug. He lived with the philosophy “all my days are good; some are just better than others.”

He is survived by his children: B. Donald Grose of Portland, OR, Patricia Musburger of Seattle, WA, and Teri Shoemake of Kansas City; his grandchildren; Kyle Shoemake and wife Chelsea Estes Shoemake of Springfield, and Rebecca Shoemake of Kansas City. Other extended family members include his daughter-in-law Rosemary Grose of Denton, TX, son-in-law Robert Musburger of Seattle, and niece Dee Connett of Silver City, NM.
Burl’s family especially thanks Helen Miles who became a member of the family long ago and whose care and compassion can never be repaid. Memorial donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Burial will be July 11, 2014 in Missouri Veterans Cemetery at 2 pm followed by a celebration of his life at Lake Springfield Boat House.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.