Bobby Jack O'Pry

Bobby Jack O'Pry, age 79, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully October 28, 2021 at home in Houston, Texas a few months after being diagnosed with cancer. His great sense of humor was present even to the end. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius Autie O'Pry and Naoma French O'Pry; brother, James Michael "Mike" O'Pry of Huffman, Texas; twin brother, Billy Mack O'Pry of Sedalia, Colorado; sisters Patsy "Pat" Corron of Palmer, Alaska and Vera "Jo" Munholland of

Wasilla, Alaska; and half-sister Eddie Mae Goodwin of Houston, Texas.

Bobby was born in Houston, Texas on August 23, 1942. He was ambitious and creative even as a child buying watermelons for $1 and selling them for $2. Later, as a young adult, he worked as a lifeguard, as a pack referee at Rainbow Roller Rink, parked cars in downtown Houston and drove a RC Cola delivery truck.

Bobby and his wife of 38 years, Linda O'Pry, (who he lovingly called Slick) were married on July 2, 1983 at H & H Ranch in Houston. Bobby worked at Anheuser-Busch in Houston as a brewer for 40 years and retired in 2005. He loved his job and coworkers and always arrived early. He was raised and baptized in the Church of Christ. He served in the US Army from 1964-1967 and was stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina for a year and for two years in Germany. He was honored to serve his country and he loved marching with fellow soldiers. The lessons he learned in the service proved invaluable in his life. He received medals for expert marksman and national defense service. His wife said that Bobby was the bravest man she ever knew.

His favorite hobbies were hunting deer and geese with relatives and friends, fishing, traveling and going to auctions, flea markets and garage sales with his wife, tending to his garden, fixing anything and making wind chimes. The day he passed away was a very windy day and all seven of his wind chimes made a glorious sound. He enjoyed collecting knives and clocks. He had a great love for reading history books and action adventure ones as well. He also loved decorating the yard for Valentine's Day, Halloween and Christmas and he received prizes five times for his creative efforts from the community. Being a dad and pawpaw filled him with so much joy and pride and he was a natural. In Bobby's spare time, he enjoyed growing tomatoes and green onions in the back yard and in 2021 he had his best crop ever. He loved the outdoors and was never idle. He loved his white Toyota Tundra truck and called it Casper. Not many people knew that Bobby loved opera music, and his favorite tenor was Andrea Bocelli. Bobby himself chose Andrea Bocelli's version of The Lord's Prayer to be played first at his funeral service. He also chose If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks and he loved everything Elvis sang. He said he did everything he wanted to do in life, and that was such a blessing. He was big-hearted and was always a gentleman.

He was survived by his wife, Linda O'Pry, of Houston, Texas; son, Douglas Bennett of Houston, TX; daughter, Lori Nielsen and husband, Larry Nielsen, of Rusk, Texas; grandson, Nicholas Trotter, of Tyler, Texas and precious granddaughter Emily Nielsen. He is also survived by other loving family members and close friends.

A visitation will be held on November 8, 2021 from 1-2pm at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas 77039 281-449-6511.

A funeral service will be held on November 8, 2021 from 2-3:30pm at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston,Texas 77039.

Following the funeral service will be a committal service from 3:30-4pm at Brookside Memorial Park, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, Texas 77039.

The family members would like to extend their sincere thanks to all the medical personnel at the Houston VA Hospital and the Houston Hospice for their tender care and prayers.

The O'Pry family is asking relatives and friends to write down their fondest memories of Bobby in advance and leaving them in the Memory Box at the funeral home or online to be enjoyed by the family at a later time.