Robert S. Espey
Robert Scott Espey, 53, of Lone Jack, Missouri, passed away suddenly on June 29, 2024. Rob was born to Jerry and Dale Espey in Columbia, Missouri in 1971. After Rob graduated from Tarkio High School in 1989, he went on to study veterinary medicine at the University of Missouri-Columbia. As a young man, Rob enjoyed raising farm animals as part of Future Farmers of America, competing in high school golf, playing saxophone in the band, participating in National Honor Society and church youth group, and doing chores with his dad and grandpa.
After graduating with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1997, Rob started working at Eagle Animal Hospital before opening Crain Veterinary Clinic in Grain Valley with his dad in 1998. Rob was respected by his colleagues, staff, and clients for his hard work and humble commitment to working with animals and clients.
In 1997, Rob met Kendra Erin Roberts as they worked together at his first veterinary practice. They were married in 2000. Rob and Kendra have two children, Samuel Robert (2002) and Ruby Marie (2006). Sam will graduate from the University of Missouri-Columbia with his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in December of 2024. Sam will marry Abigail Pike of Osage Beach this September and they plan to live in the Kansas City area. Ruby competes in rodeos at the national and regional level and plans to attend Missouri Valley College on a rodeo scholarship starting this August.
When Rob wasn’t providing for his family, he enjoyed working around their property, taking his kids to rodeos all over the country, traveling with his family, and enjoying quiet time with The Lord. All who knew and loved Rob will remember him for his humility, kindness, compassion for others, and love for Christ. His family was everything to him and he showed Christ-like love to others generously.
Rob is preceded in death by his grandparents Robert and Deloris Espey and aunt Janice Espey, all of Tarkio, grandfather Donald Hopkins of Boonville, and his father-in-law Kenny Roberts of Kansas City.
He is survived by his loving wife Kendra, his children Sam and Ruby, his parents Jerry and Dale, of Grain Valley, his sister Jodi Nafzger (husband Christian) of Boise, Idaho, his aunt Joan Bryan (husband Tony) of Savannah, and his grandmother Margaret Hopkins of Boonville. Rob is also survived by his in-laws Dick and Toni Clark of Lake Tapawingo and Teresa Roberts of Pittsburg, brother-in-law Jason Roberts of Groton, South Dakota, sister-in law Christy Anderson (husband Steve) of Overland Park, Kansas, brother-in-law Scott Clark of Kansas City, sister-in-law Kelly Hahn of Kansas City, brother-in-law Jeff Hahn (wife Niki) of Parkville. He is also survived by his 10 nieces and nephews Cody Clark, Nathan Anderson, Henry Nafzger, Elijah Ceesay, Noelle Anderson, Laila Roberts, William Nafzger, Akinsa Ceesay, Julia Ceesay, and Gunner Logan.
Services will be held on Wednesday, July 3rd at Lee’s Summit Community Church, 1440 SW Jefferson St., Lee’s Summit, MO, 64080 with visitation beginning at 10:00 am and a service to follow starting at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cowboys for Cancer, 1311 Highway 54, Redfield, KS 66769 or Johnny Laughlin Memorial c/o MHSR 10764 Marie’s Road 331, Vienna, MO 65582.
Obituary submitted by family
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441