May 10 tornado claims lives of Forest Park family

By Brian Koonce

Staff Writer

SENECA – Tornadoes in southwest Missouri killed 15 over the weekend, including at least four Missouri Baptists.

Rick Rountree, 52, Kathy Rountree, 47, their son, 13-year-old Clayton, and her mother Ruby Bilke, 76, were killed when a tornado slammed into their car while they were driving to a wedding in Seneca. Rick had been serving as a temporary worship leader for Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin, where they were all members. They left behind one 20-year-old daughter, Kali.

“The Rountrees were very active in our church,” said Forest Park’s pastor, John Swadley. “We have three worship services each with a different style of music. Rick led our soft contemporary service.”

He also acted as choir director, although his service was all voluntary. His last Sunday serving in these positions was May 4, and the church’s newly hired full-time worship leader began May 11.

Swadley said the family was involved in much more than just music and worship.

“Rick and Kathy were both leaders on mission trips our church takes to Mexico,” he said. “She is an artist and did art work in the church we partner with in Metamoros.”

Steve Patterson, director of missions of Spring River Baptist Association based in Joplin said at least seven homes of Missouri Baptists had been destroyed.

“We’ve also had several members of our churches in Spring River and Shoal Creek who lost their homes. Please pray for us all.”

Patterson said a disaster relief volunteer from Bethel Baptist in Seneca who recently aided in recovery efforts in Gladstone last week lost her home. At least one family from the churches of Cave Springs, Oak Grove, Bethel, New Hope, Warren’s Branch families all had at least some damage. The interim pastor at LaRussell Baptist Church, Sunny Shumake, lost his home.

“Some were just blown away,” he said. “We took a lot of direct hits this time.”

Tommy Blair, director of missions for Shoal Creek Baptist Association said he was not aware of any damage or injuries to churches or members in his association, although the town of Newtonia was severely damaged.

“The tornado basically cut Newton County in half, east to west,” he said.

Saturday night, the First Baptist churches in Diamond and Neosho opened as Red Cross shelters. Patterson said they are trying to set up a central base of operations at First Baptist, Neosho. “That’s our plan for now.”

Rick Seaton, who oversees Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief, said several units including chainsaw crews, a shower unit and a feeding unit are on call and ready as soon as the Red Cross gives the word.

But beyond the obvious need to for debris-removal teams and volunteers, Patterson said they need prayer.

“Please pray for the volunteer coordination,” Patterson said. “Pray that God will provide the funds it’s going to take to buy fuel for the saws, trailers and generators. Most of all, pray for opportunities for us to show the love of Christ in a very real way, and that we’ll be sensitive to the Spirit.”