Rev. Bob L. Hairston

Rev. Bob Hairston, age 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 9, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, with family by his side. As a well-loved pastor, he lived the life he preached with an infectious sense of joy.

Bob was born on June 16, 1933, in San Antonio to parents A.J. and Minnie Lee Hairston. Growing up in San Antonio, he shared his childhood with his sister, Arlene. From an early age, his neighborhood church, Baptist Temple, played a central role in his life.

Bob graduated from Brackenridge High School in San Antonio in 1951. While a student at San Antonio College he felt God’s call to the ministry. After graduating from SAC, he transferred to Baylor University to pursue that calling.

During the summer after his first year at Baylor, Bob met the love of his life, Barbara Lueders. After Bob’s graduation from Baylor, the couple both moved to Fort Worth to continue their studies —Bob at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Barbara at TCU. They were married on December 29, 1956. Bob graduated from the seminary in 1958 with their six-week-old daughter, Rebecca, attending the ceremony.

Bob’s ministry began at Baptist Temple and soon extended throughout South Texas. Over the years he served congregations including Buckner Boys Ranch, First Baptist Church Kingsland, FBC of Mathis, FBC of Cuero, and Calvary Baptist Church in Rosenberg.

As Bob’s ministry grew, so did his family, with children Sam, Robin, and Kathleen joining the fold. His calling was marked by a deep passion for sharing God’s Word and sharing a vision for growth with his congregations. He took special joy in helping churches grow in every sense, leading major construction projects at every church he pastored.

Bob loved people and had a gift of making every person he interacted feel valued, heard, and cared for. He had a sharp wit and infused his ministry and life with humor.

In addition to his pastoral work, Bob served in various ministries, including leadership roles at the South Texas Children’s Home (“STCH”), Moderator of the San Felipe Association, and member of the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. He enjoyed civic activities, including the Lions Club.

Even after “retiring” from full-time ministry in 1996, Bob’s ministry continued through his work at STCH and as an interim pastor for numerous congregations across the Houston area.

Bob found great joy in living, especially enjoying gatherings with family and friends. He was a fierce tennis player and thoroughly enjoyed his tennis friends – especially when he beat them! He enjoyed walks and Y workouts with his gym buddies. He and Barbara shared a full life, traveling across the United States, Europe, and the Holy Land, and spending cherished time with their ten grandchildren. Bob was a lifelong learner who could often be found with a biography or history book in hand.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Barbara, and his sister Arlene Hairston Smith. He is survived by his children: Rebecca Lessley (Michael); Sam Hairston (Beth); Robin Voss (Tim); Kathleen Wood (Robert); and honorary daughter Kecia Garcia (Gilbert). Bob is also survived by his grandchildren: Mick, Matthew (Christianna), and Robert (Rosie) Lessley; Erica Hairston Atwater (Julianne), John Caleb, and Jessica Hairston; Miles Voss; and Victoria, Alexis, and Lauren Wood; brother-in-law David Lueders (Kyle), sister-in-law Norene Lueders, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob’s Funeral will be on November 23, 2025, 2:30 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 319 E. Mulberry Ave., 78212. Graveside service and burial will be on Monday November 24, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at Williams Creek Cemetery, La Grange, Texas.

For those who wish to do so, cards, flowers, or memorial contributions are equally welcome. Memorial contributions may be made to South Texas Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1210, Beeville, Texas, 78104,