Robert “Bob” Funk has died, as announced by his son Bob Funk, Jr. on Facebook. He wrote of his dad “Dad was a true original in every sense of the word. A bold entrepreneur, a tireless advocate for people, and a man who embodied the spirit of the American West. With his signature cowboy hat and unshakable determination, he helped build Express into what it is today: a beacon of hope.
“More than a business leader, he was a man of deep faith, unwavering integrity, and clear vision. He believed in the dignity of work and the potential in every person. His passion for helping people find purpose through employment defined our mission from the very beginning and continues to inspire all we do.”
Oklahoma State Secretary of Ag Blayne Arthur responded to our request for her thoughts on the life of Bob Funk. “I was incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Bob Funk and share my heartfelt condolences with his family. Oklahoma has lost a true champion for both agriculture and youth development. There are few people who have been as philanthropic and influential to Oklahoma. Mr. Funk had an undeniable passion for young people and supported them in a variety of ways, most notably through his financial support of the Oklahoma Youth Expo. I believe we can all learn a lesson from Mr. Funk’s incredible generosity, kindness, and passion for making the world a better place. He will be missed in so many ways and by so many people, but the legacy he built will last for generations.”
Shortly after word came of Bob Funk’s passing, the Oklahoma Youth Expo issued this statement to the public:
“It is famously said that legacy is not just about what one does for oneself, but rather what they do for others and the world around them.
“This truth could not be more evident than in the wonderful life of Mr. Bob Funk, who’s recent passing we are deeply saddened by.
“Since the Oklahoma Youth Expo’s inception in 2002, Mr. Funk has served as the Board Chairman and cornerstone upon which OYE was founded. He was the original visionary of OYE, and under his outstanding and steadfast leadership, OYE has grown into what it is today with its long-standing mission of helping grow the next generation of Oklahoma’s ag youth.
“The Oklahoma Youth Expo is incredibly thankful for Mr. Funk’s wise foresight, ambitious vision, and his genuine heart for developing our state’s youth. He always saw the potential in those around him, and offered ample support whenever and wherever he could. This is just a glimpse of the tremendous legacy Mr. Funk is leaving behind, and OYE is beyond proud to carry his legacy onward.
“Before his passing, Mr. Funk established the Funk Legacy Onward Endowment as a way of preparing OYE for the generations to come. Thanks to his generosity and the growth of his Endowment, we are humbled to announce that OYE will exist forever–a dream of Mr. Funk’s that will continue to cultivate his legacy and support Oklahoma’s youth in perpetuity.
“Mr. Funk will be severely missed, and his loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers.
“Rest in peace, Mr. Funk. Thank you will never be enough.
“If your chapter, club, family, or friends would like to send the Funk family a letter of condolences and appreciation for all Mr. Bob Funk did for the Oklahoma Youth Expo and the youth of Oklahoma please send them to the OYE office at
OYE
Attn: Funk Family
21 Land Rush Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73107″
Express Ranches is one of the premiere seedstock cattle operations in the world- and Bob Funk was very proud of his Angus and Hereford cattle. And he and Jarold Callahan were key in bringing a world class cattle show to Oklahoma City- Cattlemen’s Congress. From their website- “In 2020, the Cattlemen’s Congress was created by a group of visionaries led by Mr. Bob Funk. Its goal was to provide a world class event specifically designed for cattlemen and women to gather, showcase and market their elite cattle genetics. The inaugural Cattlemen’s Congress was held in January 2021 and brought nearly 10,000 head of cattle, more than 2,700 exhibitors and thousands of producers to one place, which in turn created record-breaking National Sales during its inception.”
Back in 2023- Mr. Funk was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners. Here’s the bio that was released at that time about a man who had passion for the land, for cattle and for kids.
“Bob Funk Sr. has been in the staffing industry since 1965, beginning his career at a national firm in Seattle before moving to Oklahoma, where he founded Express Employment Professionals in 1971. As Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Funk led Express on a trajectory of success that grew the business into one of the nation’s largest privately held staffing companies. Today, Express puts more than a half million people to work each year and records more than $3 billion in annual sales. As president and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals – Oklahoma, Funk also operates one of the largest and most productive Express franchises with more than 50 offices in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Kansas.
“Funk’s talent for excellence in business extends beyond the staffing industry. As owner of Express Ranches, he produces some of the nation’s finest stock of Angus and Hereford cattle and is the largest Angus genetic seedstock producer in America. Express Ranches is also home to Funk’s collection of championship-winning Clydesdales and Percherons, which compete in horse shows across the U.S. and Canada each year.
“He has served nationally as chairman of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, and he also has served on the boards of several local banks as well as the American Staffing Association and Future Farmers of America. He’s been chairman of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, and the Oklahoma Youth Expo.
“Funk has been named Most Admired CEO by the Journal Record newspaper, Man of the Year by Impact OKC Magazine, and he’s been inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the International Franchise Association Hall of Fame and the Sales and Marketing Executives International Hall of Fame.”
