Bobby Ray Sappington, 87, of Metairie, LA passed away on February 3, 2025. He was born in Humboldt, Tennessee, graduated from Tupelo High School and joined the U.S. Air Force shortly thereafter. A proud veteran, he specialized in air traffic control until he was honorably discharged in 1961. He went on to become an air traffic controller spending most of his career at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
Bob was a member of American Legion Post 350 and had a passion for Model A Fords.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joelle Kempff Sappington, his daughter Kimberly Sappington Pels, and his three grandsons, Hayden, Griffin and Bennett Pels.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Ethel Hay and Jarrett Griffin Sappington, his daughter Victoria Lee Sappington, and his brothers Jerry and Charles Sappington.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend Funeral Services on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. Interment will follow service in Metairie Cemetery. Visitation on Thursday is from 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
