Robert Marion Brashear, age 89, died on September 11, 2018. His parents were Pascal Merlin Brashear and Lucille Lewis Brashear of Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Memphis State University Campus School, graduating from Memphis Technical High School. Collegiate work was at the University of Tennessee and Texas Christian University, culminating in a Phd from the University of Texas at Austin in 1969.
Bob and Eula Fern Thigpen were married in 1952 at Kennedy Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee. Bob served in the United States Air Force and while posted at Eglin Air Force Base he and Eula were charter members of Destin, Florida First Baptist Church. Dr. Bob’s career was as a professor in higher education at Texas Christian University and Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Retiring in 1991, Bob and Eula came south to Jackson, Tennessee and immersed themselves in the life of the community. Bob was a mainstay at First Baptist Church, Jackson, achieving the designation Deacon Emeritus, and was involved in many civic and charitable works. Whether known as Bob, Dr. Bob, or Uncle Bob, his personality filled the room. His unique bird calls endeared him to generations of nieces, nephews and children of every age. Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Paul Brashear, Sr., sister, Carolyn Jane Brashear Jones, nephew, Timothy Brashear, and sister and brother-in-law, Charlotte Thigpen Turner and Gene Turner. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Eula Fern Thigpen Brashear and nieces and nephews, Paul Brashear, Jr., Martha Brashear Pittman, Deborah Brashear Truitt, Jana Jones, Jeffrey Jones, Wesley Turner, Glenn Turner, and a host of grand and great grand nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 West University Parkway, Jackson, Tennessee 38305, beginning 9:00 AM, Saturday, September 15, 2018, with service to follow at 10:30 AM. Dr. Justin Wainscott, officiating. Burial will be at Memphis Memorial Park. Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church, 1627 North Highland Avenue, Jackson, Tennessee 38301 or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517.
