Gregory “Greg” Mason Dollens passed peacefully in his sleep August 17, 2024, at the age of 63.
Born August 8th, 1961, in Mexico, to Robert “Bob” and Rhonda Dollens, Greg grew up with a boisterous family full of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents who doted on him. Greg was blessed with a built-in best friend in his younger brother, Gary, whom he loved fiercely, looked up to, and was always the first person he asked for advice.
After graduating high school in 1979, Greg attended SMSU (now Missouri State University) in Springfield, where he lived up to his nickname “cat daddy,” ruling the halls of Freddy dorm with his charm and beating everyone he could at backgammon. In 1982, he wore out his nickname and married Marcy Bennett Dollens, and so began his time as a father, husband, and provider.
Greg was always passionate about his professional work, and he was known for doing something right “the first time.” He spent many years working at Zenith Electronics, where he formed life-long friends who stayed dear to him for the remainder of his life. He spent 30+ years as a union member and professional glazier, placing windows and glass into many of the local Springfield buildings that you walk in and out of each day. Although he hated climbing an 8-foot ladder because of his fear of heights, he could hang off a 20-story building and caulk a window better than anyone in the business. He was ambidextrous, could calculate fractions faster than a calculator, and was able to measure any object from a mile away.
In 1987, Greg welcomed his daughter Meagan, the only girl who would ever be able to match his attitude. She was his first built-in hunting and fishing buddy and the first to give him a run for his money, and she inherited his work ethic, grit, and common sense. On Christmas Day 1995, Greg ecstatically welcomed double pride and joy in twin sons, Trey and Tanner. He happily fulfilled every aspect of being a boy-dad, including coaching sports, attending hundreds of high school games, and spending treasured times hunting with his boys. Greg was a one-of-a-kind father who never missed an opportunity to approach a situation with love, learning, and generosity.
Greg was an avid outdoorsman and felt most at home in the woods. Whether deer, turkey, pheasant, or bear, hunting was his favorite pastime. A master in archery and shooting, Greg’s prized possessions included his countless buck mounts and his yearly haul of deer meat. He spent years fishing bass tournaments but was just as happy tossing lines into a farm pond down the street. His “happy place” was with family in Bevier, where he spent countless hours in the woods, creating memories at the cabin, and spending time with his closest friend and brother, Rick.
Greg spent his entire life as an active community member, serving in the local union, as a lay leader for Bois D’ Arc United Methodist Church, and on the Ash Grove School Board. He was always quick to volunteer and always the first to drop everything to help a friend. If you needed to borrow a tool, a neighbor to check on things, or a helping hand on the farm, Greg was there until the job was done. His gruff undertone was never far from a soft smile and witty banter, and if you met as strangers on the street you left as friends for life.
After retiring in 2018, Greg spent time caring for his dad, enjoying extra time hunting, and searching high and low for the best deals on anything and everything. If there was a deal, Greg would find it and buy ten. He was never afraid to jump in the car for a road trip, and in recent years spent treasured times traveling to visit with extended family and exploring places like Montana, Arizona, and the Appalachians. In 2021, he took on a new persona as PaPa Greg to his grandchildren, his final and most beloved role. PaPa Greg spent his final years doting on his grandkids as much as possible and enjoying visits with close friends and family.
Greg is survived by his wife, Kristy Dollens; daughter, Meagan (Adam); sons,Trey (Kerry), and Tanner; grandchildren, Alyaa, Kaisley, Asher, and Gunner; brother, Gary Dollens; and mother, Rhonda Dollens. Greg is preceded in death by his father, Robert Dollens. The Dollens family would like to extend a special thank you to the countless friends and family who have spent time visiting with Greg in his final months, sharing stories, laughing, and helping create lasting memories.
A celebration of life will be held at Pizza Hut, 707 W. Monroe St., Mexico, MO on Saturday, September 14, from 12:00pm – 3:00pm.
