He was born January 23, 1938 in Murphytown, a son of the late Raymond Andrew and Mary Lee Drain Flesher. Bob attended Murphytown School taught by Miss Lena Allman and then Parkersburg High School where he graduated in 1955. At the tender age of 17, he received permission from his parents to join the United States Navy where he served aboard Destroyers USS Lansing, USS John A. Bole and the USS Sproston. He made lifelong friends from his days upon those ships and took great pride in serving the Country that he so loved and supporting the Murphytown DAV Chapter #32. While serving in the Navy, he became a Pipefitter and Welder, and followed his Father into a career with Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 565, retiring in 1999.
Bob was an active member of the Murphytown Baptist Church where he was baptized on June 10, 1945. He was currently serving as a Deacon but had been a Trustee, Bible Study Leader and Sunday School Teacher for many, many years. His passion was keeping the Youth active and he was always encouraging them in Bible School, basketball, Fall Fun Fest, Easter Egg Hunt, anything they were interested in.
He was a man with great knowledge and understanding of the Bible and its’ history who could tie today back to passages there with ease. He loved West Virginia history and urged his daughter to research and join the Daughters of the American Revolution tracing back to his ancestor Henry “Weston” Flesher, founder of Weston, West Virginia. Bob was President of the Wood County Beagle Club for many years so those, and his hunting and fishing adventures with Mike, Jack and anyone else that wanted to come along, were the highlight of his storytelling.
Bob is survived by his children Stephanie of Murphytown area and Michael (Brenda) of Pinch, WV; his older brother Jack (Jo); his grandson Mason (Tiffany) and great granddaughter Hannah Grace; nieces Lynn, Caitlyn, Corinne, nephews Stuart, Mitch “Bibler” and Tyler who were like children and grandchildren; grandson Rick (Denise); great grands Tessa, Maycee, Alyssa, Nick; his adopted family Richard H., Mike P., Justin, Shelley, Amy and Jaqueline; many nieces and nephews; his grand dog Holly “Squeak” and most cherished, constant companion, Penny.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life Judy, his half-sister Kathleen Nielsen, his son-in-law Rick Detrio and his fierce protector Annie.
Visitation will be Saturday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Parkersburg with Services beginning at 1:00 p.m. Reverend Jason Hickman will officiate. Bob will be laid to rest with his beloved Judy at Sunset Memory Gardens.
Mike and Stephanie want to especially thank ICU Nurse Lisa Sheridan, Dr. Vickie Cox, Pastor Jason Hickman, family, friends and neighbors and all of the Murphytown Baptist Church family that have stayed in constant prayer for the past month. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetparkersburg.com
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