Erran L. Divine, age 81, of rural Joplin, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 1, from stroke-related complications. Erran was born May 18, 1942, in Webb City to Claude Divine and Bernice Fenton Divine Eden.

The family moved to Qualey, Wyo., when he was a young boy, and Erran attended grade school in a lumber camp. He also learned to fish and hunt from his father, traits he loved and carried with him throughout his life. When his father passed in 1951, Bernice moved the family back to Webb City. She remarried James Eden, and with James’ military career from 1951-59, Erran attended schools in Langley, Va., and Victoria, Texas. They eventually migrated back to Webb City in 1959 and purchased the iconic rock house on Elm Road in Prosperity. He graduated from Webb City High School in 1960. He married Pat Crutcher in 1961. The couple had four sons together and later divorced.

When his boys were young, Erran was very active in coaching many youth sports year-round, such as baseball, basketball and football. He was instrumental in founding the MO-KAN youth football league. He continued to follow his love of many sports by attending his kids’ practices and games, then following his grandchildren through their sports careers.

Erran was employed by Atlas Powder Co. from 1968 until he retired in early 2000 He married the love of his life, Judy K. (Gladden) Divine, on June 1, 1991. The couple resided east of Webb City. Erran and Judy were retired, but Erran started a second career raising cow/calf pairs and harvesting hay crops. He leased several hundred acres and supplied thousands of tons of hay to area ranchers.

Even though he loved his cows, he loved to fish even more. He was a member of several fishing clubs in the area, and spent many years camping and fishing with friends, and guiding others on fishing trips. Erran proved to many the best bass to be caught was after dark. He was the inspiration to his family’s legacy of fishing.

Known in his earlier years to be gruff and stubborn, his demeanor softened through time with the addition of grandchildren. He was affectionately called Pop by family, and those close to him. Several people have said he turned to jello when his grandchildren made requests of him.

Erran is survived by his sons Curtis Divine, Lake of the Ozarks, Phil Divine (Connie), Centralia, daughters Katie (Mike) Krausenneck, Chesterfield, Mich. and their kids Owen and Cora and Dennisa (Mitchell) Niles, Hallsville, and their son Rylan; Brent Divine (Lori) Joplin, kids Sara (Ben) Yarbrough, and their son Maddyx, of Webb City, Josh (Monica) Divine, and their children Nyriah, Halli, Callie and Kyler, Republic; Eric Divine, Joplin; stepsons Mark Smith (Kamber) and their children Tate and Talyn, Joplin; Scott Smith and his son Tyler, Kansas City; Craig Smith (Ginny) and their daughters Kacie (Chuck) Corbitt, of Philadelphia, Pa., and Taylor (Kara) Smith, Virginia Beach, Va. and their three children Charlotte, Drew and Bodie; brothers Jack (Sallie) Divine and Claude (Judy) Divine both of Neosho; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father Claude, mother Bernice, stepfather James Eden and his wife, Judy Divine.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary. Burial was in Friends Cemetery, Purcell.

Memorial contributions may be made to Solace House of the Ozarks. The family asked those attending the service bring a fishing lure to attach to a fishing net at the service in memory of Erran. There was a procession of bass boats leading Erran to his final fishing hole.