Robert "Bobby" Bacon

Robert “Bobby” Bacon, 83, long-time resident of Cleveland left the loving arms of his family and entered the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, July 21, 2017. He was a loving husband, father and “Pappy” to his grandchildren. He was the son of the late Robert Olen and Irene Watson Bacon. A veteran of the United States Army, he obtained the rank of Corporal with the 4th Field Battalion during his service and was stationed in Austria. After leaving the military, he enrolled in the National School of Business where he graduated with an Accounting Certificate. In 1956 he began a career with the L&N Railroad that would last for the next 33 years until his retirement from CSX Transportation. He was a member of Union Missionary Baptist Church where he served as Choir Director, Vacation Bible School Director and Coordinator of Senior Citizen Activities for several years. Bobby was a founding member and past president of the Lucky 13 CB club where he was known as “Knuckle Pin”. The CB Club provided many charitable services to the Valley View community including fundraisers for the sick and providing firewood for the sick and needy. He was an avid fisherman, outdoorsman, wine maker and gardener. He spent many years as manager of Broken Oak Farm in southeast Bradley County.

In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his brother, Larry Bacon; sister, Olean King; and his mother and father-in-law, Luke and Lena Fowler Ross.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife of 65 years, Betty Jo Ross Bacon; and his four daughters, Renee Bell (Alan), Diane Henry (Darrell), Denise Hall (Brent) and Regina Humbard (Larry). He was the greatest “Pappy” to 9 adoring grandchildren, Tina Cooper, Tracey Burgiss, Jessica Smith, Julie O’Neal, Jared Hall, Marie Jackson, Emily Hall, Justin Humbard and Laura Humbard; and 13 great grandchildren. Bobby is also survived by two sisters, Brenda Hall and Evelyn Bain (Bill); sisters-in-law, Peggy Stepp (Edwin) and Jo Ann Ratliff (Richard); and a host of nieces, nephews and close friends.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, July 24, 2017 in the chapel of Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home with M. Ryan Ogle officiating.  Musical tributes will be from the Union Quartet and Kelly O’Neal.  The interment will follow in Boanerges Baptist Church Cemetery with Jared Hall, Justin Humbard, Michael Cooper, Whitney Burgiss, Andrew Smith and David Jackson serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Bacon, Cliff Swafford, Dan Rayburn, Bill Bain, A.C. Whaley and William Davenport.

His family will receive friends from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home prior to the service.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Bacon family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.