Bobby J. Birdsong Sr.

July 29, 1933-June 1, 2012

Our beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and friend of many passed away on to be with Jesus Friday, June 1, 2012. Bob was born in Ark. July 29, 1933 to Odie and Calista Birdsong.

He spent most of his childhood years in the Merced area where he attended local schools and graduated from Merced High School in 1953. He proudly served in the U.S. Army for 2 years and was employed with the Federal Government for 28 years, retiring in 1992. While with the U.S. Government he worked at Castle AFB for 13 years, and then went to Okinawa, Japan for almost 10 years, then to Annapolis, MD where he retired from the US Naval Academy. On Oct. 29, 1964 he received his Apprenticeship Completion Program for the IBEW the Achievements Award. Bob was proud to be an electrician and was well known in his trade. He began his career working for Collins Electric as an apprentice and continued working for them after he received his journeyman license for about 4 years prior to becoming DOD employee.

Bob married his high school sweetheart whom he loved dearly in Las Vegas, NV, Betty Stanley on March 13, 1955 and celebrated their 57th anniversary this past March.

Bob always looked forward to Sundays to worship and fellowship with all the members of Christian Life Center (CLC) whom he loved dearly. He and his best friend, Ralph Johnson, were faithful to attend and fellowship with all of them. Bob touched the lives of many people and will be deeply missed. Bob was known for his great sense of humor; he liked to laugh and loved to make others laugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bill.

He leaves behind his wife, Betty; sons, Kenneth and Bobby Jr. who dearly loves him and will sorely miss him; grandchildren, Christopher and Kimberly from Las Vegas and Bobby III from Fort Worth, TX; great grandchildren, Katie Lynn and Matthew; brothers, Hubert (Teresa) and Gene (Kim) from Las Vegas; sister, Barbara (Ralph) Arnold from Golden Valley, AZ; Aunt, Lucille from Merced; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bob’s family would like to thank Dr. Uppal; Dr. Fuh; all the staff at Mercy Medical Center including Dr. G and her dream team in the ER; RN Desirae on the 4th floor; RN Ana; and all the staff on the 7th floor including the ICU.

Special thanks for all the prayers, cards, plants, food, and well wishes from the members of CLC and Pastor Mike. We would also like to thank Pastor Jim from the Bible Baptist Church and his congregation for all the love, prayers, support, and hospital visitations.

The Birdsong family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in memory of Bob to either the Bible Baptist Church for repairs from recent water damage, 3840 N. Santa Fe Ave., Atwater, CA 95301 or to the CLC Senior Citizens Ministry, 650 E. Olive Ave, Merced, CA 95348.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 from 10:00am-2:00pm at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, 1490 B St, Merced, CA. Graveside will be on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 10:00am at Plainsburg Cemetery with a Potluck to follow at 12:00pm at Christian Life Center, 650 E. Olive Ave, Merced, CA 95348.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.