Robert H. Barham

Robert H. Barham, 85, of Tyler, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2014 in Tyler. He was born on January 11, 1929 in Palestine. Curley’s mother died at his birth, he was raised by his grandfather, Robert Jasper Gee for the most part, and an aunt, Margie M. Gee. He had no formal education, but was self taught in today’s language, “Street Smart” at its best.

The early years of his life he rode in the back of the taxi cab his grandfather drove. At the age of 10 he sold ice cream off the delivery truck. At the age of 17 he worked as a roustabout for an oil company in Louisiana. He learned early on the swamps of Louisiana were not for him. In about 1946 he worked for T.D. Brown putting down linoleum at Mother Frances Hospital. In 1947 he began pulling hookups for Clyde Bartlett.

Curley married Donnie Ray Pinkston in 1952; they were married until her death in 1983. In 1965 he bought the car lot on Erwin along with Ray’s help to get it financed. He was there for 35 years. Before that he was buying a car, bringing it home to the house on Lindsey Lane. He and Ray were making it ready to sell the next day. She would re-do the seat covers; he would do all the cleaning. They did this together for some five years before he bought the car lot.

During the 1980’s, Curley bought a farm in Old London, which was the old Pinkston home place. He raised white faced cows, which he enjoyed and found a great deal of pleasure in. Maxine’s travel trailer was left down there for enjoyment and relaxation. Curley lived in Tyler for 65 years, most of his life spent in the car business. Curley had a keen and shrewd business sense leading him to be a self-made millionaire. Curley will always be remembered as having the last word, being a perfectionist, stating his point and doing things his way.

Special thanks to Dr. Lawrence Anderson for his kindness and compassion that touched all of our hearts.

Curley is survived by his children, Billy Jack Barham and Mary Elizabeth Barham; grandchildren, Robert Earl “Robby” Barham and Ashley Danielle Hendrix as well as a great-granddaughter, Molly Barham.

Visitation will be held from 6-8PM, Thursday, April 10, 2014 at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, 12053 State Highway 64 West, Tyler. Graveside services will be held at 11AM, Friday, April 11, 2014 at Tyler Memorial Cemetery with Scott Pool, Randy Pool, Craig Pool, Brian Pool, Ronnie Glaspie and Mike Oliver serving as pallbearers and Pastor Frank Monreal officiating.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.