Obituary of Robert Bohannon

Robert “Bob” J. Bohannon age 86 of Simla, Colorado passed away Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Penrose Main Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was born March 1, 1926 in Higbee, Missouri the son of Charles and Eva (Crimm) Bohannon. He grew up mostly in Springfield, Illinois and joined the United States in Navy in 1943. Bob proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII joining on April 19, 1943. He earned the rank of Seaman First Class and was a gunner in the armed guard on several ships in the Mediterranean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Bob’s ship was hit by a Japanese kamikaze pilot in the Pacific and he was taken to a field hospital in the Philippines. Bob was discharged on January 24, 1946. On February 19, 1945 in Springfield, Illinois Robert was united in marriage to Bessie Viola Pantier. They have shared over sixty-seven years of marriage. To this union they shared three children, Geri, Kenneth and the late Robert Jr. Bob was electrician by trade and worked for Gates Rubber Company for over eighteen years where he retired. Bob was always working on something and it was usually a car. He liked to work on cars and if there was anything that needed to be fixed, he was always there to fix it. If Bob could ever get away from the everyday grind, he could be found fishing and camping. Bob was a very devout Christian man and was very proud of his faith. He was a patriot to his country and a valued and respected member of his community. He will remain in the hearts and thoughts of his family and friends forever… Bob was a member of the Liberty Plains Baptist Church and the Mountain View Baptist Church. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 77 in Simla, Colorado. Robert is survived by his loving wife of the home, Bessie V. Bohannon; one daughter, Geri Bartling and her husband Gary; one son Kenneth Bohannon; five grandchildren, Robert K. Bohannon and his wife Jenny, Brian Bohannon and his wife Lucy, Gary Bartling Jr. and his wife Debra; Amanda Bartling and Dan Bartling and his wife Samantha; nine great grandchildren; and his special friend, Jeremy Burch whom he deeply loved and was referred to as “Grandpa“. Mr. Bohannon was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Robert Bohannon Jr.; one brother Charles Jr.; and two sisters, Verna Runyon and Mary Jacobs.