Robert Alan Dunton

As the only son of Robert Dunton and Helen Jobe, he was born October 14, 1937 raised in the small town of Washington Court House, Ohio. During his school years, Bob was an excellent student and had a strong passion for sports as he played many. During this time, he lost his father at an early age, and he and his mother worked together as owners of a small wool company and then as owners of the Jackson Glove company. It is during this time where Bob first learned the value of hard work as well as his true appreciation for his many childhood friendships.

After graduating high school in 1955, Bob entered the U.S. Navy where he spent 2 years serving his country. He then attended Ohio State University where he earned both his Industrial Engineering and MBA degrees. Here is where he met his wife of over 60 years, Vera (Vicki) Alena Safr. The two were inseparable and shared many of the same passions to include social and outdoor activities, travel, and most importantly their time with family. Both were part of the university Greek system where Bob was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

In 1961, they married, and Bob started a 42 yr career at Owens Illinois in Columbus, Ohio. They started a family and were blessed to have 3 children Jeff, Steve and Laura. He was an amazing father where he shared himself fully in all of their early childhood experiences, helped coach his children’s many sporting activities, and was always there to help guide, protect and inspire them to be something special. He was an avid reader, exercise enthusiast, a partner with many charities, and insured that his family spent all holidays together along with their dogs Sammy and Lucy.

After moving several times in the Ohio area as part of Bob’s early career, the family then moved to Shreveport, LA in 1977 where Bob was the Asst Plant Manager at Libbey Glass. Eventually, he and Vicki moved to Ontario, CA where Bob was named Plant Manager of the company’s west coast operation. In 1990 they returned to Shreveport where Bob was named Plant Manager until 2005 where he eventually retired and lived his remaining years. He loved his Libbey family and so much enjoyed their friendships.

It is during this time that Bob fully immersed himself at Summer Grove Baptist Church, and a position he so cherished was his appointment to Deacon. One of his favorite sayings, “It’s not that God can but that God will.” His love for family, friends and soon-to-be friends thrived as he and Vicki touched many lives together! He loved his church family and so much enjoyed their friendships. Bob and Vicki’s eternal devotion to each other continued to grow as Bob embraced his role as caretaker for his beloved wife during her own health challenges.

He is survived by his wife of sixty two years, Vera Safr Dunton; children, Jeffrey Alan Dunton (Dana), Steven Michael Dunton (Jill), Laura McWhiney; grandchildren, Kacie Vosbury Hollis (Walt), Danielle Elizabeth McWhiney, Brittany Elizabeth Kachulis (Louie), Stephanie Marie Cauble (Neal), Evan Robert Marshall Dunton.

He is also survived by his precious great grandchildren and dear friends. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Robert Dunton and Helen Jobe.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 10:00am - 11:00 am at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 11:00 am with Pastor Murry Hodge officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery, 3700 St Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana 71103. Honoring the family will be Peter Williams, Dana Dunton and Danielle McWhiney,

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, St Jude’s, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.