Robert Joseph “Bob” Talley was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 13, 1931. He graduated from Isadore Newman High School in 1948 and entered Louisiana State University. In December 1950, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served at various air bases with the longest being as a jet engine mechanic at Itazuke AFB in Japan during the Korean War and later at Scott AFB in Illinois. When he returned from Japan in 1954, he married Ethel Olivier of Arnaudville, Louisiana. After his term in the Air Force, he went on to graduate from LSU with a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then went to work at the Gulf Oil Refinery in Port Arthur. He worked at the refinery in various assignments, the longest being as a Supervisor in the Air, Steam and Water Department. He retired from the refinery in 1992 after 36 years of service. After his wife Ethel passed away in 1989, he married Janet Glasscock in 1992.
Bob was a member of the St. Charles Catholic Church in Nederland, where he was an active member in all of the choirs, playing his harmonica, guitar, and banjo in church services for many years. Although he never received any formal training as a musician, he was highly regarded for his ability on the harmonica to play anything by ear. His only musical training came in the form of hours and hours of practice, which he considered a hobby. That hobby carried over to all seven of his children, many of whom are active musicians to this day.
He was also an active RC (remote controlled) airplane modeler, and was a member of several RC Clubs and flew his custom-designed model airplanes at local airfields, as well as exhibitions and competitions throughout his life. Several of his airplane designs were published in RC modeling magazines.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Janet Talley and his seven children and two step-children:
Daughter Alice Schehr and her husband David, grand-daughter Krysta Schehr, great grandsons Colten Craigen and Austin Smoke, grand-daughter Kayla Schehr, great grandsons Tyson (TJ) Abshire and Jayson Tremonte and great grand-daughter Alycia Schehr
Daughter Lynn Snyder and her husband Jim, grandson Daniel Snyder and wife Rachel, and great grand-daughter Caroline, and grandson Will Snyder
Son Patrick Talley and his wife Cecilia, grandson Matthew Talley and his wife Kelly, grand-daughter Elizabeth Hernandez and her husband Joseph, great grand-daughter Lilly, and grand-daughter Katherine Talley
Daughter Gail Labath and her husband Bert, grandchildren Jeremy Labath, Jamie Abshire, and Olivia Labath
Daughter Donna Guidry and her husband Greg Guidry, grandchildren Greg Sher, Tony Sher and his wife Carmen, Lorey Guidry and Laney Guidry
Daughter Dianne Rutledge and her husband Ernie; grand-daughter Nicole Spencer and husband Jason, great grandchildren Jackson, Zachary, and Ella, grand-daughter Ashley Evers and her husband Daniel Evers, great grandchildren Grace, Madison, and Charlotte Evers, grandson Andrew Rutledge and his wife Stephanie
Son Mark Talley and his wife Mishele Martinez and grandsons Trey Gibson, Alexander Gibson, Derrek Gibson, and Amadeus Martinez-Talley
Stepson Gerald Glasscock and his spouse Jose Rivera
Step-daughter Deborah Glasscock Carter
A Rosary for Mr. Talley will be recited at 6:00 p.m., followed by a gathering of his family and friends until 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 27, 2016, at Broussard's, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 211 Hardy Avenue, Nederland, with interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, Port Neches.
