Robert W. “Bob” Ownby
Robert W. “Bob” Ownby, 84, of Rose Hill Acres died Saturday, January 10, 2004 at Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital in Beaumont.
He was born in Deering, Missouri, on February 14, 1919, to Robert M. and Cora J. Williford Ownby. Mr. Ownby moved to Beaumont in 1948 after having served honorably in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He co-founded Air Comfort in Beaumont where he worked as an air conditioning specialist until his retirement in 1981.
Mr. Ownby moved to Rose Hill Acres in 1958 where he became active in numerous civic activities. In 1962 he helped establish what is now known as the Lumberton Volunteer Fire Department. In 1977 Mr. Ownby was appointed to the Hardin County Rural Fire Prevention District where he served as a commissioner until 1981. He retired from the Lumberton Volunteer Fire Department in 1983.
He was an active member of the Hardin County Democratic Party and was involved in several civic organizations including the Cone and Tassel Garden Club. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Beaumont.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2004 at First United Methodist Church,701 Calder, Beaumont. Military honors will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, January 12, 2004 at the mortuary.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Hazel L. Strickland Ownby; his second wife Lola Pearl Bostick Ownby; sister, Roberta Jones, and brother Rex Ownby. He is survived by his sons, Avie Ownby and wife Melissa of Lumberton and James McBroom and wife Barbara of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter, Carole Sue Stinson of Rose Hill Acres; brother, Ray Ownby and wife Joyce of Bend, Oregon; three grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and seven great great grandchildren; and a special pet and friend Paco.
Pallbearers will include Joseph Anderson, Bobby Clark, Robert L. Ownby, and James Wiggins. Honorary pallbearers will be all Lumberton Volunteer Fire Department and EMS personnel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lumberton Volunteer Fire Department, 104 S. Main Street, Lumberton, Texas 77657; Boy Scouts of America Three Rivers Council, 4650 Cardinal Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77705; and First United Methodist Church, 701 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Robert W. “Bob” Ownby, a friend to many, a thoughtful, caring husband, father, grand and greatfather. He was so giving and thoughtful, and a wonderful teacher of life’s lessons. He was a fine, upstanding, honest, Christian man. Daddy, Papa Bob taught us all so very much, loved us all and will always be an inspiration to many people. We’ll miss him so much it physically hurts our hearts…but we have strength, for our Heavenly Father is our comforter, and we do have comfort in knowing that HE is in God’s care, and we have comfort in the faith and understanding that comes with knowing that we will, one day, be reunited with all our loved ones.
Thank you PAPA for all you’ve done
You will be missed so very much by so many
But most of all
Your Family.
