Robert Wayne Barksdale (“Bob”) of Athens, AL passed from this life on Sunday evening, July 7, 2024.
A public viewing will be held for Bob Friday afternoon, July 12, from Noon to 1:45 pm at Limestone Chapel in Athens, AL. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm with Greg Tucker officiating, with a burial to immediately follow at Roselawn Cemetery in Athens. Serving as pallbearers for the service are Dyson Barksdale, Michael Heery, Ty Heery, Barry Howard, Todd Howard, and Ken Kay. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Fountain, Martin Goolsby, Chris Herring, and Toby Walker.
Bob’s lifetime journey began on Feb 20, 1937, in Limestone County. He joined the Air Force in 1955, a service commitment which carried him to a station in Japan for 2 years, and ultimately to Eglin Air Force Base, where he was to meet the love of his life, Mary. Bob was immensely proud of his military service to his country.
A deeply devoted man, Bob began an employment at Huntsville Utilities in the early 1960s, and spent a 35-year career there, moving from an early role as pipe welder to later specialize as a Corrosion Technologist in the Gas Engineering department.
His unwavering loyalty to his wife and his family were even more apparent as witnessed in his loving commitment to his 60-year marriage to Mary, to his son and daughter-in-law, and to his grandchildren.
And his devotion did not stop there. Bob spent his adult life constantly striving to live a life of faith and to make his faith his action. A man of quiet inner strength, Bob was a 50 year colon cancer survivor. Rather than becoming a victim to that battle, he used it to embolden his faith and to share his faith in the power of prayer with those around him. He was an active member of the Harvest Church of Christ for over 40 years, and after moving into town, became a beloved member of the Westview Church of Christ for over 10 years, before spending the final days of his Christian walk attending the Madison Church of Christ with his son and daughter-in-law.
Ask anyone about Bob and they would tell you that he was one of the kindest and sweetest men you will ever find. Considered by many to be a great representation of a true “Southern Gentleman”.
Bob is survived by one son, Jonathan (Casie) Barksdale of Athens, a grandson Dyson (Clara) Barksdale of Cullman, AL, a granddaughter Kyndal Barksdale of Sandy Springs, GA and one great-granddaughter, Mary Elaine Barksdale. He is also survived by a brother, David Barksdale (Barbara) of Toney, AL, and two sisters, Sylvia Howard (James) of Toney, AL, and Kathy Pristas (Ken) of Plainfield, IL, a brother-in-law, Billy Wayne Kay of Hazel Green, AL, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary Goolsby Barksdale, by his parents, Robert and Linnie Barksdale, and by one sister, Faye Kay.
The world will not know a better man!
