Robert (Bob) Unger was born on May 4, 1934 in Palestine, Texas to Oliver Bernard and Irene Ellen Smith Unger, the 4th of 6 children. He grew up in a different time/way of life. When he was only six years old, he was peddling newspapers on the streets of Palestine. He delivered Avon products for his mother when she was an Avon representative. His dad would buy baby chickens at Easter and the family used a mix of food coloring dyes for their bug sprayer to “paint” them different colors so he and his brother could sell the unique “Easter chickens.” He married Lou Ann Collier on May 26, 1966 and together they had a daughter, Rhonda Bondale on November 3, 1969.
He was a very supportive dad and he & Lou Ann attended all of Bobby’s junior high school football games. Ray was a star football player at Corsicana High School and they also attended all of Ray Stacy’s football games no matter how far the drive nor what the weather, even though they, all but one per year, were out of town. He/They also attended all of Rhonda’s school programs as well as all the Waco High School football games where she was a member of the Waco High Lion Band, and served as drum major her senior year.
Bob’s career was in the life insurance business, where he received many awards and trips. He served as agent, supervisor, agency director, and especially enjoyed training new agents for Dependable Life Insurance Company, eventually retiring from Reliable Life Insurance Company in Waco. He was very pleased to be able to claim that he never applied for/drew unemployment payments.
Bob was an avid and unbelievably gifted guy in roller-skating. He was a good bowler and competed in several leagues. He also enjoyed deer-hunting & dove hunting, as well as boating and fishing, with friends and family, especially with his son-in-law, Robbie. When Bob & Robbie returned from a hunting or fishing trip, not only did they have a bounty of games to be cleaned and prepared for the freezer, they also were full of laughter as they described their many adventures.
Bob joined Grace Temple Baptist Church in 1978 and served in many capacities, including treasurer, trustee, SS teacher, and was also ordained as a deacon in 2003. He could be counted on to help with Vacation Bible School, often dressing as a clown and entertaining the youngsters as they had their refreshments time outdoors. He was always available to support the church youth group when they went on trips, and parties, etc. The Unger home was known to be available and welcoming for the GTBC youth group after church on Sunday nights, as well as for other church/youth functions. He was an active member as long as his health allowed.
He loved traveling and visiting all but 6 states, including Hawaii and also several Caribbean Islands, as well as New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.
Preceding him in death were his children Ray, Rhonda and Rebecca, as well as grandchildren, Kandi and Jason.
Survivors include his wife, of almost 50 years, Lou Ann, son, Bobby, grandsons, Brandon, Brent, Bryan & Matt, as well as David, Tammy, and Asa and their children. Honorary gran’gals Kelcy James Pierce & Jolie James, son-in-law, Robbie James, two foster daughters, Sonya Tucker & Tonya Isham, and two foster sons, Ronnie & Terry Franks, as well as his brother, Douglas, and many nieces and nephews.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.1