Robert Edward Bloxham

Robert Edward Bloxham died at his home on Thursday October 23, 2014. He was 89. He was born to Zellar and Iva Bloxham on December 30, 1924 in Red Bluff, California. He attended local schools and graduated from Red Bluff High School in 1942. In December 1942, he and a close friend, Collis Henderson joined the Army Air Corps. He was sent to Clemson College to the pilot program. While there, he played football for the Clemson Tigers. He graduated in La Junta Colorado where he met Loretta Bowser. They were married on April 21, 1945 in Redding, California. Their first military assignment together was in Lincoln, Nebraska where he flew a P47. After WWII was over he moved back to Red Bluff. In March 1946 he re-enlisted as a M-Sgt and was sent to Austria. Loretta joined him with baby son Ronnie, in January 1947. He was sent to Munich Germany, Furstenfeldbruck and Rhein-Main where he was a GCA Operator during the Berlin Airlift. From there he returned to the U.S. to Castle Air Force Base Merced where Kathy was born. From there he went to Iceland for a year. He then went to Hamilton Air Force Base in California. In 1954 he was stationed in Chateauroux France for 4 years where Marty was born in 1955. He then returned to the U.S. to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma in the 3rd mobile where he flew to Brazil where he was the GCA Operator that landed President Eisenhower. From there he moved to Westover Air Force Base in Massachusetts during the Cuban Crisis. From there he went to Vietnam. In 1963 he was stationed at Wheeler Air Force Base in Hawaii where Lore was born in 1966. From there he went to Scott Air Force in Illinois where he retired in 1968 from 27 years in the U.S Air Force. He and his family moved back to his home town of Red Bluff in 1968 where he went to work for Diamond Mill and later Tenneco. He retired from there in 1990. Robert is survived by his wife Loretta for over 69 years of marriage, son Ron(Barbara) of Santa Maria, daughters, Kathy Kay of Medford and Lore Chrasta of Red Bluff, sister, Zellma Noble, brother, Tom Bloxham, grandchildren: Marc, Robert, Ronna, Amanda, Angela, Chris, Craig, 13 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, son Marty, sister Marysue Valasek, brother Don Bloxham and great grandson Elijah.

Arrangements under the direction of Hoyt-Cole Chapel of the Flowers, Red Bluff, CA.