May 4, 1937 ~ August 3, 2024 (age 87)
Robert “Bob” Small received his Angel wings on Saturday, August 3rd, he peacefully passed with his wife by his side. Services for Bob will be held on Thursday, August 8th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at West End Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 7th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Arrangements are by Lacy Funeral Home.
Bob was born on Tuesday the 4th of May 1937. He lived a wonderful full life of 87 years. Bob was born in Milwaukee, WI, his parents were Evelyn (Speicher) & Everett Theodore Small. He spent his childhood in Milwaukee, however, when Bob was 17 the family; his parents, his older Sister Carol Small, older brother Everett Theodore “Ted” Small JR., and baby sister Diane (Small) West moved to Ft. Worth, Texas. He attended high school in Ft. Worth at Trimble Technical High School and embraced the “TEXAS” Life. While in high school and after Bob worked with his father in their family business building houses. While building a house in Breckenridge, TX he happened to stop into the Dairy Delight and find the Love of his life, Sheila Gilman.
While Bob and Sheila dated, Bob was an active member of the Ft. Worth Jaycees and worked alongside of his dad building homes. As a Jaycee some of his favorite projects were retrieving the Downtown Ft. Worth Christmas Tree for Burnet Park from Estes Park CO and setting a foundation for one of the log cabins at the Log Cabin Village in Ft. Worth, as well as helping with the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Then in May of 1959 Sheila agreed to marry him, they were married for 65 years, 2 months & 4 days.
Bob was drafted in June of 1959 and entered the US Army in December of the same year. He proudly served in the US Army until January of 1962. After his time in the service the newlyweds moved to the metroplex where Bob started his business R. C. Small and Assoc. Construction company. In November of 1966 he welcomed his son Robert “Bobby” Charles Small II into their family. In December of 1968 along came his daughter Shannon Small. While raising his two children with Sheila they built a successful business. As a General Contractor Bob specialized in Schools, Office build outs, hospital specialty spaces like ERs and ORs as well as Municipal buildings. While building his business and raising his family Bob also became a pilot. He holds a private pilot certificate, commercial pilot certificate, instrument & multi-engine ratings. Bob loved coaching, he coached both Bobby and Shannon in soccer, Bobby in baseball and Shannon in softball. Bob loved adventure and travel. The family would go camping and boating at Possum Kingdom Lake, snow skiing in New Mexico and Colorado, and traveled to too many places to write about. After enjoying 45 years as a General Contractor, he retired to Ranch in Mingus, TX. Upon retirement Bob quickly got into the business of raising cattle. Because really who needs to retire, when you can work? He loved being on the ranch out in the country, raising cows & chickens, building things, fixing things, tinkering with anything! Always the motto…if there’s a will there’s a way.
Bob took great pride in sharing his home with family and friends. Out at “Win-D-Ridge” family and friends gathered for holidays and celebrations. Bob always loved taking the “kids” for ranger rides, hayrides and building “Texas” size bon fires.
Bob was a faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church of Stephenville where he served on Council, was a Trustee and was the General Contractor for the Family Life Center.
Bob volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in Stephenville, where he was a supervisor for 2 houses in Stephenville and 2 in Dublin. Bob was always willing to lend a hand where needed. Bob was a sweet man with a huge heart. Always the jokester.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother and father, sister Carol Small, brother Everett “Ted” Small, son Robert “Bobby” Small, niece Kristen West & grandson Kevin Major.
He is survived by his wife Sheila Small, daughter Shannon Small & Susan Canning, sister Diane West & Gerald West, granddaughter Sarah Small, grandson Sean Major & Ashley Major, great grand daughter Hadley Major, several nephews and nieces, many great nieces and nephews; and other close family and friends who loved him dearly.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Erath County Humane Society 891 E. Road, Stephenville, TX 76401
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