Robert Atwood Barner Jr.

Robert Atwood Barner (Bob) 93 of Houston, Texas joined his Heavenly Father and passed away peacefully on February 01, 2025 in the home he cherished for 61 years and lovingly bought for his family as a Christmas present in December 1964.

Bob was born in Memphis, TN on November 03, 1931 to late parents Atwood Barner and Bonnie Moore Barner, brother Bruce and sister Norma. He graduated from Central High School in Memphis, TN in 1951 and joined the United States Army. He was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX where he met his soulmate and love of his life, Mary Eduviges Segura (Nina). Theirs was a love story truly in the making. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Bob and Nina married in June 1957 and moved to College Station, TX where he attended Texas A&M earning a Degree of Bachelor of Business Administration in 1962. His main studies consisted of Civil Engineering, Corporate Finance and Accounting. While attending college, his first daughter Barbara Ann was born in 1959 and second daughter Karen Rose in 1961. After graduating, Bob moved his family to Houston, TX where he began his lifelong career in accounting for engineer firms. He was an incredible mathematician and could solve almost any equation in his head including fractions and percentages and would often help his children and grandchildren with their school homework.

Bob loved sports and joined a softball team at work, played golf and tennis. He played in many tournaments over the years and won several medals and trophies. He was an avid runner, joining the Houston Harriers and participating in numerous fun runs. One of his happiest moments was running in the Boston Marathon and completing the race in April 1983. His love for sports carried over to his daughters and he enjoyed helping coach their softball teams and served as Vice President of their league. He enjoyed watching sports on TV, following the Astros, Oilers,Texans, A&M football and San Antonio Spurs. He and his brother-in-law Bill in San Antonio would frequently talk on the phone about the Spurs and most recently their star player,Victor Wembanyama. In recent years he took Spanish classes and joined a gym to keep active.

Bob was a devoted husband and father and nothing made him happier than spending time with his children and beloved wife and visiting with relatives on vacations and holidays. He was very romantic and always held his wife's hand and accompanied her everywhere she went, drove her to church every Sunday and to work. They had an incredible bond and were inseparable as witnessed by everyone who knew them. He was deeply supportive of his wife and children's Catholic faith. As his family grew with grandchildren and great grandchildren, he enjoyed going to baby showers and birthday parties, one of his favorites was a skating party! He read the Bible daily and would often discuss the scriptures with his daughter Karen, watched religious TV, loved classical music, classic rock and romantic songs. He enjoyed going to the musical Cats, the Opera and attended a Willie Nelson concert in recent years. He had a beautiful! singing voice and would google his favorite songs on the computer, write down the lyrics so he could sing the song and watched their music videos. He sang an emotional solo at his wife's funeral service that brought everyone to tears.

Bob loved drinking coffee and reading his newspaper which was delivered daily and eating at his favorite restaurants, Denny's for breakfast, Burger King, Saltgrass Steakhouse and Olive Garden among others with his family. He read the Jerusalem Post on line and was amazed by the scientific advances of Israel. He was a member of AARP and would always show his card to get discounts where accepted. He also subscribed to Consumer Reports and would research a product diligently before purchasing it and give advice on a purchase to his family. The absence of his smile, laughter, generosity, mild manner, intelligence, wit, wry sense of humor and gentle soul will weigh heavily on our hearts but we find comfort in knowing he is reunited with his beloved wife Nina, daughter Barbara, many loved ones in God's glorious Kingdom of Heaven and is another one of our Guardian Angels.

The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to Gentiva Hospice, the VA and Nurse Next Door for taking such excellent care of our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Bob is preceded in death by his loving wife Nina and daughter Barbara Gamez, parents Atwood and Bonnie Barner, brother Bruce Barner (wife Dana), sister Norma Rice (husband James), niece Donna Rice Tatum, nephews Gavin Barner, Michael Barner, Kenny Barner and Robin Rice, all of Tennessee, He is survived by his daughter Karen Barner, grandson Brian Cuellar, granddaughters Bianca Martinez, Priscilla Allen, Clairise Gamez, great grandsons Isaiah Silva, Tyler Vallez, great grandaughters Anastasia Allen and Veronica Valdez all in the Houston, TX area, numerous nieces, great nieces, nephews and great nephews in Texas, Tennessee, Iowa and Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, if preferred, the family would like to request a donation to Shriner's Hospital for Children or the National Scleroderma Foundation.

A memorial service for Robert will be held Monday, April 28, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at American Heritage Funeral Home, 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038. A reception will occur Monday, April 28, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:45 PM, 10710 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, Texas 77038. A committal service will occur Monday, April 28, 2025 from 1:15 PM to 1:45 PM at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038.