Richard Carl Meyerkord, 89, of Kimberling City
Richard Carl Meyerkord, 89, of Kimberling City, Missouri, passed away on July 25, 2026,surrounded by the love of his family and friends.
Rich was born on February 24, 1937, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Christine and Carl Meyerkord. He was an accomplished high school athlete, playing football, basketball and running the 440 and hurdles for his conference championship track team.
On November 28, 1955, Rich married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lee Favers. Together, they shared more than seventy years of marriage and built a life centered on family, hard work, and service to others. They welcomed three children and raised their family in the St. Louis area while Rich worked as a professional painter.
The family later relocated to Kimberling City, where Rich and Mary Lee opened Meyerkord Paint & Wallpaper Store in 1973. Rich proudly operated the business alongside his wife for nearly 40 years, becoming a familiar and respected member of the community.
Throughout his life, Rich enjoyed many hobbies and interests, including bass fishing, golfing, boating, traveling, and earning his pilot's license. His adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors brought him great joy.
Rich, with the unwavering support of Mary Lee, built a lasting legacy in Stone County through his many civic and community contributions. Over the years, he held numerous Leadership roles, serving as President of the Stone County Tax Board, the SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Missouri, the Ozarks Clean Water Commission, and the Stone County Senior Citizens Service Fund. He was a charter member and Treasurer of the Kimberling City Rotary Club and instrumental in the building of the Kimberling City Community Center. He had served on the Executive Board and was President of the Table Rock Lake-Kimberling City Chamber of Commerce. He also dedicated a decade of service as a Director on the Skaggs Community Hospital Board. Beyond his formal leadership roles, Rich helped establish the Kimberling City Elks Lodge and the local Bass Club, and, together with Mary Lee, played an instrumental role in forming an ambulance service in Stone County. He had also served as a member of Missouri’s Silver Haired Legislature. His commitment to improving the community left a lasting impact that will be felt for generations. His dedication was recognized by induction in the Reeds Spring Area Hall of Fall in the “Guardian Angel” category, receiving the Booster of the Year Award and Community Service Award from the Kimberling City Area Chamber of Commerce, selected Rotarian of the Year and receiving the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award.
Rich will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his unwavering commitment to improving the community he loved.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lee Meyerkord; daughters, Chris Littler (Larry) and Torie Youngblood (Mike); grandchildren, Mykelnn Puryear (Marcus), Rand Youngblood (Lindsey), and Travis Littler; and great-grandchildren, Bennett, Holland, and Jackson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Christine and Carl Meyerkord; his brother, Ron Meyerkord; and his son, Steve Meyerkord.
Funeral services will be held at the Cape Fair Community Center, 8627 State Hwy 76, Cape Fair, MO 65624, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with the memorial service to follow at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging, 1735 S. Fort Ave., Springfield, MO 65807.
Arrangements are in the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.