Robert Eugene Ussery died August 22, 2018 at Brighton Gardens, Raleigh, NC. A visitation will be held at Brown Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 1:30pm with services following at 2pm. Burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery and Mausoleum.
Born October 22, 1933 in Alamance County, he was the son of Carl M. Ussery, Sr. and Bertha Mae Hall Ussery. He was preceded in death by his parents, 1st wife, Pauline Agrimis and 2nd wife, Hilda Patterson, brothers, Carl M. Ussery, Jr. (Sonny), William Ussery, Richard Ussery and sister, Barbara A Ussery. He is survived by his son, Paul Ussery (Louise), step-sons Keith Patterson (Betsy) and Mark Patterson (Dawn), granddaughters Lisa Ussery and Paxton Patterson. Also surviving are nephew, Mark R. Ussery (Jennifer), nieces, Pamela K. Ussery, Sheron U. Brewer (Lewis), and Vickie U. Jones (Freddy), sisters-in-law, Mary M. Ussery and Dolores S. Ussery and friends Jeanie and Bill Wilson.
He acquired the nickname “Junk” as a child when during the war years he would go to the junkyard with his wagon to find pieces of metal to sell and it stayed with him his entire life.
He graduated from Hugh Morson High School in 1952 and was voted the Most Outstanding Athlete 1951-1952. He attended the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship and after two years was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. At the same time, he was drafted by the U.S. Army in Special Services and was discharged in 1959 from Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas. He joined the Raleigh Police Department and serviced for eight years as a Detective Sergeant. He worked for Macke for 13 years and later retired as Vice President of Coastal Carolina Communications. He also served as president of Southeastern Radio Common Carriers Association, Raleigh Country Club 1981-1982, and was a Master Mason at the William G. Hill Lodge 218. He spent most of his retirement years enjoying golf and life at Myrtle Beach with friends. He was a wonderful athlete, a kind, funny and generous gentleman and intensely loyal to family and friends.
A special thanks to the staff at Brighton Gardens and Transitions LifeCare.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oxford Orphanage, 600 College St., Oxford, NC, 27565 or to the Eastern Star Home, 700 S. Holden Rd., Greensboro, NC, 27407.
