Obit of Tatum, Bob (Bobbie Mac) - Grant County, Oklahoma Thanks to Bakersfield Californian for permission to upload their obits to the USGenWeb Archives. Copyright, http://www.bakersfield.com/ 28 May 2006 Return to Grant County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grant/grant.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== ::Arvin Cemetery--Arvin CA Bob (Bobbie Mac) Tatum 1935 - 2006 Bob (Bobbie Mac) Tatum Nov. 30, 1935 Jan. 1, 2006 Visitation for Bob Tatum will be held at Basham Funeral Care (3312 Niles Street) on Thursday morning, January 5, 2006 from 10:00-1:00 p.m. with graveside services held at Arvin Cemetery beginning at 2:00 p.m. Bob was born on November 30, 1935 in Lenna, Oklahoma to Luther and Margaret (Maggie) Moore Tatum and he passed away January 1, 2006 in Bakersfield, California. Bob spent most of his young life in Oklahoma. His family were migrant farm workers and they worked and traveled throughout several states. Bob and his mother settled in Lamont, California in 1951. Bob met and fell in love with Mildred Neeley in Lamont and on January 27, 1956 they were married. Bob began his education in Oklahoma, he attended school in Lamont and completed his education in the military. Bob was inducted into the United States Army in November 1958. He received Basic Training at Fort Ord, California, Artillery Training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and he was stationed with the 10th Artillery in Fort Benning, Georgia. Bob became a SP4 and was in Honor Guard where he fired salutes for and personally met President Dwight Eisenhower, King Hussein of Jordan, Chancellor Willie Brandt of Germany and Joint Chief of Staff, General Mark Clark. Bob was especially proud of his military career and after he returned to Lamont he was in the Army Reserves for 4 years. Bob worked in many farm related jobs and he loved the outdoors. He worked for Lamont School District for 30 years, retiring in 1977. Bob was a fun loving person and loved to tell jokes, sing and make people laugh. Bob lived in Lamont, with his wife Mildred, until their retirement. They had one daughter, Demaryous (Deedee) who was the brightest spot in their life. Deedee passed away suddenly in April 2004, taking the light out of Bob's life. In addition to Deedee, Bob had aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends awaiting his homecoming, as well as his mother, Margaret; his father, Luther and special brothers-in-law, Joe Neeley, John Story and Austin Kidwell. Bob is survived by his wife and best friend, Mildred; sister, Pauline Kidwell of Bakersfield; brothers and spouses, Jim and Edna Tatum of Lincoln, Arkansas and Ray and Ruth Tatum of Okemah, Oklahoma. Bob also leaves behind nephews and spouses, John and Betty Ennis of Bakersfield and Jerry and Cathy Ennis of Tehachapi; nieces and spouses, Joyce and Ken Sanders of Lamont, Judy and Jim Waddell of Wetumka, Oklahoma, Jenny and Fred Worrell of Bakersfield, Janet and Ben Lara of Bakersfield and Becky and Jim Ayers of Lincoln, Arkansas; his mother-in-law, Opal Neeley; brother-in-law, Farrell Neeley; sisters-in- law, Margie Story and Carolyn Neeley; sister-in-law and spouse, Linda and Randy Moss of Bakersfield and many other loving nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Optimal Hospice for their wonderful care and concern and a special friend and helper in his last months, Lewis Goodman Jr. Pallbearers will be John Ennis, Jerry Ennis, Luis Alvarez, Randy Moss, Vincent Hudson and Lewis Goodman Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Ken Sanders, Farrell Neeley, Frank Sloan and Leon Thomas. Bob was loved by all that knew him and he will be deeply missed. For additional service or floral delivery information, contact Basham Funeral Care at 873-8200. Basham Funeral Care Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 1/4/2006. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Grant County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/grant/grant.html