Dr. Charles Huntress

Dr. Charles William Huntress, Jr., 84, of Monett, Missouri, passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 3, 2015, with his loved ones there by his side.

Devoted family man, dear friend and community leader, he was born and raised in Warsaw, Missouri, on August 7, 1930, to Charles and Mabel (Cunningham) Huntress. He lived there until after high school graduation, when the family moved to Bolivar, Missouri.

He worked alongside his parents as they established a jewelry store, which became a long-standing Bolivar business.

Charles attended Southwest Baptist College, Drury College and The University of Missouri, before enlisting in the United States Air Force where he proudly attained the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Upon returning to Bolivar, mutual friends introduced Charles to local elementary school teacher, Annalee Hughes, and the couple married in July of 1955.

The newlyweds started their lives together by moving to Memphis, Tennessee,, where Annalee taught elementary school and Charles attended the Southern College of Optometry. After graduation, they settled in Monett to establish his optometric practice and raise their family.

As an active, integral member of the community, Charles exemplified a life of service to others. A First Baptist Church member, he worked on various church committees and served as Sunday School teacher for the Fellowship Class for several years.

The familys lifelong friendships made there and continuing deep commitment to the church was, for him, always a great source of comfort and pride.

Charles was a member of the Monett Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of the Barry County Sheltered Workshop, where he served on the board for decades. He was active in the philanthropic Shrine Brotherhood for over 50 years, and especially enjoyed performing in community parades as a member of the Barry County Trike Club.

Professionally, Dr. Huntress established a second optometric office in Greenfield, Missouri. The several organizations he was associated with include the Southwest Missouri and the Missouri Optometric Associations, and the American Optometric Association.

Charles found a great satisfaction in his profession of optometry and vision care, where he truly loved the privilege of going to work every day to serve others. He retired after 50 years in practice.

Charles and Annalee treasured their friendships with a close-knit group of wonderful folks, enjoying worldwide travels, playing in bridge clubs, and just doing life together. He was always the go-to guy for anything, be it repairing a pair of glasses, fixing up a rental house, serving on a committee, or supervising a fishing pond expansion for his grandkids.

A very determined man, he worked hard and expected that a job be well done, not only of himself but also others. Deeply dedicated to his faith, to his wife, Annalee, to his family, friends, and profession, he will be greatly missed.

Preceded in death by parents, Charles and Mabel Huntress, of Bolivar, Missouri and sister, Marilyn Shanahan, of Kansas City, Missouri, he is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Annalee (Hughes) Huntress; their children and spouses: Leanne & John Yarrow of Plano, Texas; Charlie & Teresa Huntress of Monett; and Greg & Suzette Huntress of Monett; grandchildren: Hope, Olivia, and Myles Yarrow; Cassie Branch & husband, Walter; Dylan and Morgan Huntress; and Kate and Alex Huntress; and great-grandchildren: Aidan and Addison Branch; as well as in-laws: Marilyn Parrott of Bolivar, Missouri; Helen & Mike Hanigan of Andover, Massachusetts; several nieces and nephews; and countless dear friends.

A Masonic Service was held in Dr. Huntress honor at the Buchanan Funeral Home in Monett on the evening of Friday, June 5th, with open visitation to follow.

The funeral service was held Saturday, June 3rd at the First Baptist Church of Monett.

There will be a private family burial with military rites at the Monett Oakdale Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the Monett Area Sheltered Workshop or the Monett First Baptist Church.