Robert Carroll Shows Jr.

Robert (Bobby) Carroll Shows Jr., passed away on Sunday, September 3, 2017. Bobby Shows was larger than life. Standing at 6'8" tall, with his towering physique, you'd think he would be intimidating. But in his kind, gentle way, he made everyone who met him feel like they were someone very important, seen, and loved. Bobby wrote about his desires for his funeral including his "theme Bible verses". Bobby had a unique way of quoting the Bible in his Mississippi accent that made it easy for anyone to understand. One of these verses is Acts 20:24: "But I reckon my own life to be worth nothing to me, in order that I may complete my mission and finish the work the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to declare the Good News of the grace of God." His life's goal was to find common ground with people so he could share who Jesus Christ was in his life. With a basketball and a vision, he lived and traveled throughout the U.S. and many countries to fulfill this call. Additionally, Bobby authored five books, numerous media articles and was a very popular speaker for many organizations. In Bobby's last days, he was telling everyone that he was ready to be in Heaven. No fear or hesitation. He confidently knew he would be with Jesus as you read this now. The following is the obituary he left for us: "I grew up in the rural towns of Union Church, Mars Hill, and Brookhaven, Mississippi to Christian parents, Robert Carroll and Lucille Shows. When I was 19 years old, on the beach of Gulf Shores Baptist Assembly, I was saved. I attended Mississippi State University on a basketball scholarship where I received my Master and Bachelor Degrees. I played on three SEC Championship teams and went to the Game of Change at the NCAA tournament in 1963. Our team accomplished a lot! I was an assistant freshmen coach in 1964 at MSU. I continued coaching high school basketball for two years in Louisville, MS. Over 28 years, I had the honor of serving on four church staffs: Woodland Hills Baptist, Jackson, Mississippi; First Baptist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana; First Baptist Church, Springfield, Missouri; Park Hill Baptist, North Little Rock, Arkansas. Fourteen of those years were served at Park Hill Baptist. In 1993, I went to work for the Missouri Baptist Convention and continued to serve as a consultant for seven years. God led me to start the ministry of Sport Crusaders in 1994. This ministry is a sports evangelism ministry that uses sports to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I served as the Founder and Executive Director along with so many great people over the years. In 2007, I retired from Sports Crusaders. Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers for your support and ministry. My passion for sports provided me the opportunity to referee basketball games for 30 years. Thank you to all of my fellow officials, coaches and teams for the many great games and memories. Fishing, hunting, gardening and just being with people are my favorite pastimes. In heaven, I am asking God to put me in charge of the sunrise. My greatest accomplishment is my 52-year marriage to my "Angel", Jane Shows. My son, Doug Shows and his wife, Corinne have two children, Ashley and John. Ashley's son, Arthur, is my one and only great-grandson. My daughter, Cynthia Walker is married to Lt. Colonel Steve Walker (Ret.) and has two boys, Cole and Caleb. My family brings me the greatest joy and I am grateful for them. I love each of you. Finally, I need to mention my brothers and their wonderful families. Scotty and his wife Judy and Glenn and his wife Kathy. Thank you for the great memories. Maybe you guys can beat me in that one-on-two game in Heaven someday. Until then, keep sharing Jesus. I am very proud of my 11 nephews and nieces as well as my many great-nephews and great-nieces. You are special to me. Thank you to all of my friends and family. We all shared many enjoyable times together. May God bless each of you. My hope is with everyone who reads this old boy's obituary, you will remember me only because I hopefully pointed you to knowing and loving Jesus more. I am with Him now! With that, I leave you with my life verse: "He must increase, I must decrease." John 3:30. Services will be held in three locations: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 9, 2017, at Union Hill Baptist Church, 460 South Summit Drive, Holts Summit, MO 65043, followed by a Celebration of Life Luncheon at Union Hill Baptist Church; 3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 10, 2017, at Park Hill Baptist Church, 201 East C Street, North Little Rock, AR 72116, followed by a Celebration of Life Luncheon at Park Hill Baptist Church; and 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at First Baptist Church, 200 East Monticello Street, Brookhaven, MS 39601. A graveside service will follow at East Haven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be designated to the Bobby Shows Sports Crusader Scholarship Fund, Mississippi State University Baptist Student Union, Park Hill Baptist C.A.C., or Union Hill Baptist Church. Please send to: Bobby Shows Memorial c/o Missouri Baptist Foundation, 400 East High Street #500; Jefferson City, MO 65101. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com