Lt. Col. USMC (Ret.) Robert Thornton “Bobby T.” Ladd, age 87 of Franklin, TN passed away on February 20, 2019. A native of Franklin, TN, he was graduated from Austin Peay State University and received his Master’s Degree from Pepperdine University. He was a gifted athlete, excelling in baseball and football. He proudly served in the Marine Corps for 26 years as a Naval Aviator. He flew jets off of aircraft carriers while serving overseas and he flew helicopters while serving two tours of duty during the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for “heroism and extraordinary achievement” in combat operations. He received sixteen Air Medal awards for singular meritorious acts in sustained aerial flight operations. He was also awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal with three Campaign Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Dorothy Dugger Ladd, parents, William and Stella Smithson Ladd. Survived by: son, Dr. Steve (and wife Marcy) Ladd; daughter, Dr. Patti (and husband Tom) Giddens; grandchildren, Carl (Ashley), Robert (Stacey), Dr. Stephen (Kelli), and Claire Ladd and Katherine Giddens; great grandchildren, Liam, Luke, Colton, Blakely and Nora Ladd. Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 PM Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, Rev. Lynn Hill and Rev. Bryan Brooks officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery with full military honors. Active pallbearers will be Steve Ladd, Tom Giddens, Carl, Robert and Stephen Ladd, Bob Bowen, Larry Rockovich and Steve Hubb. Honorary pallbearers will be the Horace Edgmon Sunday School Class, Hendricks Fox, Glen Wakefield, Col. R.D.Taylor, Lou Odom and Crockett Raines. Memorials may be made to the Bobby Ladd Football Endowment Scholarship Fund at Austin Peay State University, P.O. Box 4417, Clarksville, TN 37044, First United Methodist Church Building Fund 120 Aldersgate Way, Franklin, TN 37069 or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Visitation will be 4-8PM Friday and one hour prior to the service at WILLIAMSON MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME, 615 794-2289 williamsonmemorial.com
