Claude "Bob" Coe

Claude M. “Bob” Coe, 96, of the Siloam Springs area passed away Tuesday morning, August 29, 2017 at Ozark Terrace Nursing home (the Highlands of Northwest Arkansas).

Bob was born on August 3, 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a son of the late Emmett Claude and Bess Coe. He was known as the “King of Gypsies” having devoted his time as Camp Director for Gypsy Camp for Girls located on the Illinois River south of Siloam Springs from 1955 to 1978.  His legacy lives on in the historical buildings and campground of Gypsy Camp which was placed on the National Historical Register of Historic Places in 1988 by Governor Bill Clinton. 

He is survived by his daughter, Claudia Baron and husband Roger of Siloam Springs, AR; 3 Grandchildren, Melissa Lee of Houston, TX, Sarah Baron-Houy and husband Josh of Rapid City, SD, and Shawna Baron and husband Myke Bates of Springfield, MO:  One Great Grandson, Snowden Houy of Rapid City, SD, and one Great Step Granddaughter, Jordyn Lee of Houston, TX; very close friends, Kim and Terri Eldridge of Siloam Springs, AR.  Pastor Wayne Thomas and Kind at Heart Ministries provided valuable assistance, physical and spiritual, to Bob during last several years of Bob’s life. 

Bob is preceded in death by his father and mother, Emmett Claude and Bess Coe, wife, Daisy Coe, and his sister, Joan Coe.

Memorial Services will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Chapel on Monday, September 4, 2017 at 1:00 pm. Pastor Wayne Thomas will officiate the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his name may be made to the Kind At Heart Ministries, P.O. Box 6932, Siloam Springs, AR  72761.  The cremation arrangements were entrusted to Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Siloam Springs. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.Backstrom-Pyeatte.com