Robert Lynn Storey

Robert Lynn Storey, 75, of Arlington, Texas died on May 30, 2025, after a two-week stint in the ICU at Arlington Memorial Hospital. Robert was born September 20, 1949, in Tyler, Texas. The oldest of three siblings, Robert and his family moved to Arlington in 1958. He recalled the adjustment from rural to bigger city life being difficult at first, thinking everyone in Arlington was a “yankee” by comparison. But he soon learned to love the city and called it home for the rest of his life. Robert was also a proud Texan imbued with East Texas charm and manners, a strong personality, and deep love for family.

Robert was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, however a fortuitous documentation error at the German army base may have redirected his fate and that of his eventual family. Instead of deploying to active combat, he was assigned as an office clerk until he received an honorable discharge. In his 20s and 30s, Robert worked in construction, most notably running a concrete pump and later becoming a crane operator. In midlife he transitioned into the audio-visual installation industry from which he retired early.

Robert felt a connection to nature and enjoyed outdoor activities, particularly camping and fishing. But as if to balance this out, he also loved sitting comfortably (or napping frequently) in his gigantic La-Z-Boy recliner. Robert was a faithful fan of Texas Rangers baseball, until the 2010s when they broke dishonorably (in his opinion) with Nolan Ryan, at which time Robert defected to the Houston Astros. Even then, he may have secretly rooted for the Rangers. He was also a ride-or-die Dallas Cowboys fan, sharing in the common hope of the past 30 years that they would eventually make it back to a Super Bowl. Someday, friends, someday.

Robert is preceded in death by his father and mother, Bob Storey and Ruby Prather Storey, his uncle, Ray Storey, and his grandchildren, Aaron and Kathryn Foster. In recent years, he also greatly mourned the passing of his lifelong friends Roger Smith, Ron Smith (no relation), Virgil Jackson, Kirk Ellis, and Steve Nafziger.

Robert is survived by his wife Patty Foster, his sons Brian Foster and Robby Storey, his stepsons Tim and Eric Foster, his sisters Pam Bradshaw and Jan Nafziger, his nieces Ashley, Chelsea, and Elizabeth, and their families, his step-grandchildren MacKenzie and Ian, his granddaughter Allison, and Allison’s son Tyler whose name warmed Robert’s heart as a serendipitous reminder of his East Texas roots.

A funeral service will be held at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home (4216 S. Bowen Rd., Arlington, TX 76016) on Tuesday, June 10 at 10am, followed by a 12pm graveside service at Parkdale Cemetery (701 S. Mary St., Arlington, TX 76010). In August, there will be a Celebration of Life gathering in Minnesota for Robert’s friends and family there.