Bob Huggins

Robert James “Bob” Huggins, 81, was transferred to God’s Church Triumphant on Friday, February 2, 2024. Born on July 29, 1942, in Hickory Grove Community, Delaware County, Oklahoma, he was the son of Solon and Zelma Huggins, both of whom preceded him in death. When asked once what he missed the most, Bob replied “Mom and Dad.”

He grew up and attended the small two-room country school in the Hickory Grove Community through eighth grade.

After graduating from High School in Grove, Oklahoma, Bob enrolled in Northeast Oklahoma A&M college, then decided to enlist in the Navy, where he attained the rank of E-9 during his 20-year career. While in the Navy he completed an Associate’s Degree in Personnel Management from Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington. Bob was in the submarine nuclear reactor program, most of which was spent operating the nuclear reactor and the submarine propulsion system. He was selected for a three-year assignment on the staff of Adm. H. G. Rickover, the "Father of Nuclear Power".

After retiring from the Navy, Bob moved his family to Russellville, Arkansas, where he was on the staff of the commercial nuclear power plant for 13 years. Altogether, he spent about 35 years operating, maintaining and supervising nuclear steam propulsion and nuclear steam electric stations. He returned to Northeast Oklahoma, and for ten years he was Elder on Session at the local Presbyterian Church in Grove, where he met Judy. They were married on February 14, 1997. In retirement he built their home on Marina Drive in Grove, loved being the “contractor”, and did much of the building.

Being concerned about the availability of affordable housing in the Grove, Oklahoma area, Bob acquired land NE of Grove for a housing development, intending for it to be affordable and quality housing. The White Hawk housing addition, on North Cherokee Street is a testament to Bob’s foresight and energy.

Bob was willing to help family and friends. He and Judy hosted a cousin and spouse while she recovered from a heart incident involving surgery. His contracting expertise was put to good use in helping an older couple on a fixed income. They trusted another contractor to build a house for them, but the contractor took their money and left with just a half-finished house. Bob worked with local officials to try to persuade the contractor to complete the house construction, but when the contractor departed after a court appearance, Bob worked with his contractor and building supply buddies to complete the house for the couple.

Bob had a long-time interest in all things mechanical, and was well on his way to building, from the keel up, a steam-powered paddle-wheel boat that he hoped to launch onto Grand Lake, in NE Oklahoma. His declining health slowed and eventually stopped his paddle-wheel boat project. Wherever he traveled after retirement he looked for trains. He recalled: “Once I stopped along the railroad to listen to the engines and watch the train climb the long grade on its way north. That particular train had two engines in front and two more about two-thirds of the way back and was only going about 15 MPH with the engines roaring. There's something lonesome, mysterious and a little romantic about trains and they seem very busy doing big things.”

Bob’s brother recalls when they were young, Bob and our cousin found an empty railroad boxcar on the railroad siding near our house. Nearby was a lever device used to move empty boxcars, easily on level ground. The siding had a slight downhill grade, and Bob and our cousin moved the boxcar to the top of the incline, set the brake on the boxcar, got on top and released the brake. They rode the car for about a hundred yards before applying the brake. Then, they used the moving tool to get the boxcar back up the slight grade. Bob’s brother doesn’t recall how many times they rode the boxcar.

A sister remembers his exploration side: “Bob and Judy loved to take drives and just ‘follow the hood ornament’ and never use GPS. I was riding with them along somewhere in the country between Joplin and Grove, seeing beautiful remote scenery, but the road was becoming more and more sparse. The pavement turned to potholes, then just gravel then just rocks and wide eyed I realized we were driving down a creek bed!! Bob was just looking around with a smirk on his face and Judy seemed unconcerned, but I was frantic because there was NO GPS and NO cell signal! My heart was beating fast as I kept an eye out for Big Foot or a hole in the creek bed. After what seemed to be a long time, we came across what appeared to be a dirt road, turned on it and found our way back to civilization! Bob thought that was very funny. He loved to tease! He loved to sing and play guitar. Sing ballads such as ‘Egg Suckin’ Dog.’ “

Another sister recounts: “Bob was a caretaker. It was not unusual for him to pick up someone along the road who looked like they needed a helping hand and buy them food or clothes and make sure they knew where they could find lodging. I remember once in Russellville he picked up a young couple who were hitchhiking with their dog. He made sure they were fed and found a place for them to stay. He had the biggest heart.”

In June 2023, Bob was diagnosed with dementia. Bob and Judy moved from their home in Grove, Oklahoma, to Punta Gorda, Florida, to be near and be supported by Judy’s family.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Judith Lynn (McClain) Huggins; three sons from his first marriage, Robert James Huggins II, Ryan Justin Huggins, and Raul Jason Huggins; five siblings, Majel Akers of the Hickory Grove Community, Coleen Woods and her husband Roy Dee Woods Jr of Miami, Oklahoma, Kay McLean of Little River, South Carolina, Eileen Hardy of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and George Huggins and his wife Kay of Kezar Falls, Maine; two nephews, five nieces, and many grand-nephews and grand-nieces, many cousins and untold friends. Bob was a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, being descended from Fivekiller and Tame Doe, his 8G Grandparents.

Bob was a “heart” father to daughter Roz Palmer and her husband Paul Blackwell, son Joe Palmer and his wife Natalie Palmer; and he delighted in being a grandfather to Libby Palmer and Genna Palmer and grandpups Max and Sky.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

A celebration of life for Bob will be held Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 2405 Harbor Blvd, Port Charlotte, Florida 33952.

Other arrangements are pending.