Bobby Allen Swope

Bob was born August 18, 1939 to William Henry and Annie Lee (Rice) Swope in Tulsa Oklahoma. The family moved to Yakima in 1952. He graduated from AC Davis in 1958.

In his late teens his working career started as a hot tar roofer. He then completed his journeyman apprenticeship through the IBEW Local Union 112. Bob worked as an electrician for 36 years. A good portion of his career was at Knobels Electric before retiring in 2001.

In 1960 he married his life partner Barbara Downing. In 1961 they were blessed with son Jamie. The trio enjoyed an active lifestyle such as dirt biking, snowmobiling and camping. They particularly enjoyed Sunday evenings at Grandma Swope's house watching Walt Disney on her color television. Later they would become avid road bikers and traveling in their motorhome. He also enjoyed many adventures with his lifelong friend Ernie Hurst.

He is survived by his best friend and wife , Barbara; son, Jamie (Fenja) of Yakima; granddaughter, Heather of Seattle; granddaughter, Holly of Yakima; sister, Marie Hurst of Yakima; sister Shirley Burlingame (Paul) of Yakima and sister- in- law Peggy Bryer (Terry) of Kalispell, MT. He was preceded in death by his mother and father William Henry and Annie Lee (Rice) Swope; brother, James Swope; sisters, Iva Hollingsworth and Louise McGee.

He is also survived by numerous loving nephews, nieces and cousins.

Bob will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a caring friend to all that had the privilege to meet him. He was a leader and caretaker and had an unconditional love for everyone.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society or to a Multiple Sclerosis Fund. Visitation will be from 4 - 8pm Thursday, February 23rd at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. A celebration of his life will be held Friday February 24th at 1:00 p.m. at Keith & Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima WA 98902. To share a memory of Bob visit, www.keithandkeith.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Keith & Keith Funeral Home, Yakima, WA.