Charles Robert "Bob" Garner

Charles Robert "Bob" Garner went home to his Lord and Savior on June 9, 2023 following a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 88 years old. Bob was born at home in Red Oak, Oklahoma, at about 8 PM on July 12, 1934. He was the first child of Johnnie Wilma (Hilburn) and Delbert Luther Garner. His parents worked as teachers and they lived close by to a large and loving family which included 26 first cousins. During this time Bob became a Christian at a revival meeting and was baptized at the age of 9. He made several lifelong friends once the family moved to Wilburton for high school. One of these friends, Leycel Burger, was responsible for taking him to the local hangout Gummy's Bakery where he first saw Loveda Smith. Bob always claimed it was love at first sight, and that he knew she was the one for him when he saw her serving cherry cokes behind the counter. Bob and Loveda eloped to Oklahoma City in 1952 and welcomed daughter Linda in 1953. Bob pursued engineering at Eastern Oklahoma A&M, graduated with honors, and had his first job at Kerr-McGee Oil working in Gillette, WY. He was promoted to their research lab in Oklahoma City and was able to attend the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated in 1955 with a degree in engineering. He was a proud and lifelong fan of OU, and everyone who knew him was familiar with his large collection of OU shirts, hats, and memorabilia. After graduation, Bob began a career with Cities Service Oil Company. He and Loveda traveled all over the US during his 50+ year career. Their second daughter, Lisa, was born in Liberal, KS in 1959. Bob worked his way up the company ladder, eventually becoming an Executive Vice President with Occidental Petroleum. Bob retired from Occidental Petroleum in 1989, though he always maintained an interest in investing and in oil and gas. He and Loveda used retirement to travel and to spend time with loved ones. Though Bob had many professional achievements, his greatest pride was his family. He and Loveda were always present for dance recitals, music concerts, sports events, and school plays. Holidays at their home were a joyous occasion filled with laughter, good food, and OU football games on the TV. He adored all of his grandchildren and loved to spoil them by cooking them elaborate breakfasts (including 'Pa's perfect eggs'), playing along with silly childhood games, and taking them shopping for treats. Famously, he once bribed eldest grandchild Rob with $20 to remove a loose tooth and subsequently paid $20 for every tooth lost by a grandchild. It was not, he admitted, one of his best business deals but it was one that brought him and his grands a lot of joy over the years. He was equally fun as a great-grandpa and delighted in spending his final years playing with his three great-grands. After Loveda's passing in 2016, Bob kept busy with a large circle of Tulsa friends. He enjoyed attending local theater events, going to the movies, and dining out. He loved to read and was a regular at local bookstores. Never one to shy away from technology, he was an eager adopter of ereaders as well as iPhones which he used to keep up with family and friends near and far. Bob was also an active member of Parkview Baptist Church and a supporter of many church missions. He spoke often about his faith sustaining him during hard times. We will miss his sense of humor, his adventurous spirit, and his joie de vivre. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his younger sister Judy Hamilton Morse, and his beloved wife of 63 years, Loveda Smith Garner. He is survived by his daughter Linda Garner Heider and her husband Ben of Tulsa; his daughter Lisa Garner Boswell and her husband Hank, of Longview, TX; his grandson Robert Heider, wife Michelle, and great-grandson Ethan of Houston, TX; his granddaughter Ashley Heider Daly, husband Ryan, and great-granddaughter Harriet of Tulsa; his granddaughter Kate Boswell, husband Luis Noble, and great-grandson Henry Noble of Dallas; granddaughter Rachel Boswell Lagutchik and husband Stephen of Longview, TX; and granddaughter Jennifer Boswell Harrington and husband Ryan of College Station, TX. Bob had many friends, but a special thank you to Tom and Holly, Marty and Rosalie, Richard Harris, and the whole "Breakfast Bunch." Thank you to dear friends, Gina, Rick, Michelle, and Bruce. Thank you to Seasons Hospice-they are truly angels. And a special thank you to Bob's care team, whom he came to love: Millie, Chris, and Rafael. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bob's memory to Parkinson's research at either the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or the Parkinson's Foundation. Memorial Service will be 11:30 a.m., on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at Montereau Chapel, 6800 S. Granite Ave., Tulsa, Oklahoma. Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500

Charles Robert "Bob" Garner

July 12, 1934 - June 9, 2023