(December 28, 1935 – August 15, 2022)
Robert (Bob) Leslie Southerland, 86, passed away Monday, August 15, 2022 in Dublin, Texas. He was
born in Frankell, Texas on December 28, 1935. His family moved to Breckenridge, Texas in the early
1950’s and it was there that he met the love of his life, Edith Irene Sorgee. They married on April 29,
1955 in Albany, Texas. Bob was a man of deep faith and integrity who was extremely dedicated to his
Lord. He and Edith were longtime members of Purves Baptist church, near Dublin Texas, where he
served as Treasurer, Deacon and Song Leader.
Bob was exceptionally gifted with anything mechanical and joined the Navy right out of High School to
hone his mechanical skills and, as it turned out, his skills in electronics as well. He and Edith were
transferred to Pensacola, Florida, where their twin sons, Robert and John, were born. While in the Navy,
Bob served both on a naval aircraft carrier, at sea for weeks at a time and, after the boys were born, on
the Naval Air Station in Pensacola. He and Edith moved to Bedford, Texas, where they raised their twin
sons, Robert and John. After Bob retired in 1993, after 30 years with Texas Instruments, they moved to
their beloved farm of almost 80 acres, near Dublin, Texas. There they raised cows, horses and pot belly
pigs (and even took care of several wild raccoons in later years).
Bob had a wealth of information to share with his family and friends regarding anything that needed
fixing, remodeling or just simply made better. He did most of the work himself when they enlarged and
improved the original farmhouse on their land.
His detailed storytelling was legendary and hilarious at times and was much enjoyed by his family and
friends. His quick wit, mischievous spirit and adventurous soul will be missed terribly and his family
looks forward to seeing him again someday. It gives his family great comfort that he is now with his
longtime wife of almost 70 years.
Bob was proceeded in death by his loving wife, Edith Irene, who went to meet her Lord on June 24,
2022. He is survived by his son, Robert Leslie Southerland II and his wife, Beth Southerland and his son,
John Lamar Southerland and his wife, Leanne Southerland. He had three grandchildren; Kyle
Southerland, Sarah Mokwa and Daniel Southerland and four great grandchildren: Liam Southerland, Lila
Southerland, Kaden Mokwa and Kullen Mokwa. He was also proceeded in death by his brother, Jerry
Southerland, and is survived by his brother, Tommy Southerland.
There will be a graveside memorial service for both Bob and Edith Southerland on Thursday, August 25,
2022 at Macedonia Cemetery in Stephens County, Texas at 11 am, with a fellowship meal afterwards at
New Hope Baptist Church near the cemetery.
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