Darrol Cribbs

Darrol Cribbs, 79, Bolivar’s “First Citizen” in the eyes of many, passed away Friday, December 6, 2019, at Cox Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri. He was born September 28, 1940, to Clifford and Sadie (Seiner) Cribbs and graduated from Bolivar High School in 1958, where he played basketball and was a miler for the track team, while never daring to neglect any of the many chores he and his siblings carried at home. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, enlisting after graduation. He married Judy Acuff October 22, 1965, and they raised two children, Kevin and Kim. Darrol was a renowned lifetime collector of friends. He worked for Ford Motor Company in Kansas City before joining his father and brother in ownership of Bolivar Insulation in 1964. That business would make many friends for him far and wide, as people found him to be a trusted source for products, service and employment. He would later own and manage multiple business investment properties throughout Bolivar and was among the founders of Citizens National Bank in Springfield. He also was among the founders of Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club, his most proud investment, and he was a driving force in the development of the course more than 20 years ago, using his legendary negotiating skills. Those skills often were used to score major sporting event tickets for friends and family to enjoy with him. His personality was known to be a great compensator for a heavy foot on the pedal that sometimes created roadside chats with law enforcement on his many golf excursions and other travels. But he was always guaranteed to be a sober driver, golfer or anything else, as he could be the life of any party without a desire or need for alcohol. He also talked himself and friends onto exotic golf courses at low or no cost and discounted meals all along the way. He was still negotiating in his final days from his hospital bed, doing his best to take care of those he knew he would be leaving behind. His personality was especially effective throughout 37 years of officiating basketball games around the state. His smile, charm, sense of humor and effective employment of a large but gentle hand on the shoulder of an occasional disgruntled fan, coach or player were known to come in handy for helping all enjoy the games. That experience also helped him be the model fan when watching his own kids, grandkids and all other Liberators and Bearcats compete. The personality again served him and others well throughout 19 years of coaching Southwest Baptist University golf teams. Technically, he was the assistant coach, but all involved knew him as the chief mentor, face and fundraiser for the program. He conducted one of the most popular annual golf events at Silo Ridge to help fund the program and he sold thousands of donuts for the cause. People bought them whether they wanted them or not. They couldn’t give them away, because everyone else already had them. They bought because Darrol was the one asking. Or they would hand him cash or a check and say, “please keep the donuts.” One couldn’t be with Darrol for long without their conversations being interrupted by incoming phone calls, often from some of his former SBU golfers from around the country or beyond. But many also came from other former SBU students and athletes known to think of him as a second father, whose time was always theirs when needed and whose home was always open to them while at SBU and afterward. They regularly kept him apprised of their career achievements or family updates. While calls came from many of those whose subsequent careers took them away from SBU and Bolivar, many others who came here for college say they chose to make Bolivar their place to marry, work and raise families, in large part because of Darrol and others who followed his ambassadorial leadership. He was recognized as a regular at many Polk County establishments that serve coffee, or where people gather for any length of time with friends for news or fellowship, regardless of time of day or night. He was well known for functioning with little sleep and for never wearing a coat or long sleeves, regardless of the temperature. The former city alderman, volunteer fireman, ambulance and funeral home attendant was generous to his hometown and its citizens, often anonymously, or at least intended to be that way. He mowed countless yards for those he knew to be away from home for extended periods, or who he knew couldn’t afford to pay anyone to do it. He plowed snow from many driveways under similar situations, often trying to get it done without the recipients knowing who had done it. Clearly, Darrol devoted much of his life to making Bolivar a better place. From a simple smile, firm handshake from a massive hand, or donation of a Thanksgiving turkey, he gave of himself and let others know that someone cared for them. Like all others, he was not a perfect person, but he worked harder than most in effort to more than compensate. Some of those imperfections involved his health. He cheated death many times and rewarded those around him with his spared life. Darrol was a lifelong member of Bolivar First Assembly of God Church, where he would say he learned much of what served him well in life and now beyond. Survivors include his wife, Judy, of the home; one son, Kevin Cribbs; one daughter, Kim Cribbs; three grandchildren, Cooper, Caitlyn, and Carly Cribbs; and one brother, David (Betty) Cribbs, all of Bolivar. He also is survived by his twin sister, Carrol Stepp (Diz Stepp),Walnut Grove; two nephews, nine nieces and numerous great nieces and nephews and some great-great nieces and nephews. And countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Wanda Agee and Darlene Allen. Friends and relatives are invited to a Visitation with the Family from 3:00-7:00 P.M., on Monday, December 9th, 2019 at The Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. A Funeral will be held for Darrol the following afternoon at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at Southwest Baptist University’s Mabee Chapel. Pastors Ken Robinson and Hutson Goza will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar. Memorials in Darrol’s honor may be donated to the Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center or Citizens Memorial Hospital Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

Darrol Cribbs

September 28, 1940 - December 6, 2019