|
|
Published May 13, 2008 12:54 am - Richard Rountree was remembered as a helpful, hard worker. His wife, Kathy, was upbeat even when she was stressed out. Their son, Clayton, had a flair for drawing comics and a great sense of humor. Co-workers, students and friends in the Joplin R-8 School District on Monday mourned the loss of a student, a teacher and the family in Saturday’s deadly tornado.
Students, co-workers mourn loss of family
By Joe Hadsall
jhadsall@joplinglobe.com
Richard Rountree was remembered as a helpful, hard worker.
His wife, Kathy, was upbeat even when she was stressed out.
Their son, Clayton, had a flair for drawing comics and a great sense of humor.
Co-workers, students and friends in the Joplin R-8 School District on Monday mourned the loss of a student, a teacher and the family in Saturday’s deadly tornado.
The three family members were driving toward Seneca with Kathy Rountree’s mother, Ruby Bilke. The four were killed when their passenger van was hit by the tornado in Newton County.
They were on their way to a wedding in Seneca, said Larry Bilke, Ruby
Bilke’s son. Bilke told The Associated Press that they were trying to arrive early at the ceremony, at which Richard Rountree was to sing.
Kathy Rountree, 47, was a graphic-design teacher at Franklin Technology Center, and 13-year-old Clayton was a student at Memorial Middle School. Counselors were available Monday at both schools, Superintendent Jim Simpson said.
Dave Rockers, director of the technology center, said Kathy Rountree was an upbeat, positive person who was a joy to work with and who seemed to have a camera in hand all the time.
“Every picture we found of her today was a good picture, because she always had a smile on her face,” Rockers said Monday. “We never saw her mad, even when she was stressed.”
Kathy Rountree started at the center in 1995 as an adult instructor and teacher aide. In 1998, she became a full-time graphic-arts instructor, working with high-school and adult students.
Simpson said she assisted often with the school district’s printed materials.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
|
|
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, sharp, loaded, automatic, air, CD, extra nice, $2600. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1989 CHEVROLET STEPSIDE
350, V8, custom flames, runs great, $2500. 417-208-6717...>MORE
1999 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED
4x4, leather loaded, $3500. 417-850-0731....>MORE
HONDA 2001 CIVIC EX
HONDA, 2001 Civic EX, 4 door, automatic, 94,000 miles, $5800; 1998 Accord, 4 door, $4200; 1999 Honda Prelude, automatic...>MORE
1997 OLDSMOBILE 88
runs good, $1900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
OLDSMOBILE 2003 SILHOUETTE VAN
OLDSMOBILE, 2003 Silhouette mini van, 107,000 miles, scooter/wheelchair hoist, nice, $7000. (417)776-3219....>MORE
JEEP 2000 CHEROKEE SPORT
JEEP, 2000 Cherokee Sport, 6 1/2” lift, 35” foggers, locked front end, welded rear end, off road use, winch not included...>MORE
2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
See all ads |
|
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
See all ads |
|
ANGUS HEIFERS
6 Augus heifers, good foundation stock. (417)358-7519...>MORE
5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE
ENGLISH BULLDOG PUPPY
male, AKC, fawn/white, champion bloodlines, $900 or best offer. (417)396-3340...>MORE
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|