Robert M. Stapleton of McKinney, Texas, went home to be with the Lord on November 27, 2008. Bob had received Jesus Christ as Savior when he was 13 years old. His life thereafter was dedicated to following and serving the Lord and serving his family, friends, and country. Born in Dallas on May 9, 1926, the third son of L.V. and Winnie (Camp) Stapleton, Bob grew up in San Antonio. After graduation from Brackenridge High, he was introduced to the joy of being a counselor at a summer camp for boys in the Hill Country of Texas. For a semester, he attended UT Austin. Then, at age 17, during WWII, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he served first in the Philippines and then with the detachment that first entered Peking, China, to repatriate the Japanese at the end of WWII. Following the war, as a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserve, Bob attended Baylor University. He entered the Air Force ROTC his junior year. Upon graduation in 1951, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Pilot training in Georgia, Texas, and Florida was followed by two years of flying missions in Korea and Japan with the Eighth U.S. Fighter Bomber Squadron (the famous “Black Sheep” squadron). At the conclusion of the Korean War, Stapleton was assigned to Great Falls, Montana, where he completed his service with the military. In 1954 Bob had married Mary Elizabeth (Beth) White from McKinney. In 1956 the Stapletons moved from Montana to Texas. Bob served as pastor of a small country church in Collin County while attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1957 Bob began work as an independent insurance agent. His passion, however, remained focused on faithful service to his Savior, his family, and numerous young men, whom he delighted in mentoring as Christian disciples. To Bob, Semper Fidelis (always faithful) was more than a slogan; it was an uncompromising lifestyle. Bob Stapleton actively participated in the life of his church and his community, both in Dallas and in McKinney. Civic contributions included service to local Boy Scout troops, member of the boards of the Heard Museum, Pecan Grove Cemetery, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross. He also held certifications from the Professional Insurance Association and the Independent Insurance Agents Association. As a volunteer, Bob taught GED classes for jail inmates and at-risk school students. He also taught water safety, swimming, and first aid with the Red Cross standards, overseeing the Learn-to-Swim program at Williams Pool, Plano. For seven summers, his love of summer camping was fulfilled further as he taught counselors water safety and lifesaving and served as a mentor at His Hill Bible School and Summer Camp in Comfort, Texas, a part of Major Ian Thomas’ Torchbearers ministry. Bob is survived by his wife, Beth, a son, R. Michael Stapleton of Lexington, Kentucky, and his wife, Elizabeth; a daughter, Anne Skrabanek of Marlin, Texas, and her husband, Ron; grandchildren, Sarah, Benjamin, and Rebecca Skrabanek and Colin, Bryan, and Carrie Beth Stapleton. He is also survived by his two sisters Helen Fletcher of Arlington, Texas, and Grace Quates of Dunnellon, Florida. Bob was predeceased by brothers Roy V. Stapleton and Leo B. Stapleton. Funeral arrangements are being provided by Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow of McKinney. Graveside service with military honors and interment will be held at Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney, corner of Eldorado and McDonald (Hwy. 5) 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 30. The family will receive visitors in The Connection area at First Baptist Church immediately after the graveside service. A worship and memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of McKinney on the same afternoon at 4:30 with Dr. Jeff Warren and Dr. Brent Ray officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Barnabas Fund (Family Assistance Ministry) or to the Beacon of Hope (Cancer Ministry), both of First Baptist Church, 1615 W. Louisiana, McKinney.