Robert Lee Greer Sr.

Robert Lee Greer Sr., 82, a retired marketing representative for Coca-Cola and associate of Robertson Mueller Harper, died peacefully Friday afternoon, Dec. 6, 2002, at his residence following a lengthy illness.

Funeral: 2 p.m. Monday in the chapel at Robertson Mueller Harper. Bob's nephew, the Rev. Terry Kizer, will officiate. His eulogy will be given by Mr. Guy Thompson. Burial: Following committal services, Bob will be laid to rest in Laurel Land Memorial Park. His casket will be borne by staff members of Robertson Mueller Harper. Honorary bearers include Charlie Geren, Bill Sikes, Gene Keefer, Ed Lisby, James Minor and Bob Spurrier. Visitation: He will lie in state at the funeral home, where his family will receive relatives and friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

"Big Bob," as he was affectionately called, was born March 3, 1920, in Mansfield, the son of Alice Mullins and I.B. Greer Sr. He was the youngest of four children.

His family were among the original settlers of the Mansfield community; his aunt and uncle founded Blessing Funeral Home, which is still in operation.

Bob and his family moved to Fort Worth in the early 1920s, where he attended school. Following graduation from Central High School, now R. L. Paschal, Bob, along with his longtime friend, Guy Thompson, joined Robertson Mueller Harper Funeral Directors. During World War II, Bob served in the U.S. Army as a military police officer, stationed in New Guinea. He was discharged from the service as a first sergeant and returned to Fort Worth, where he rejoined the funeral home.

On March 26, 1946, Bob married the former Dorothy Pauline "Polly" Hodges in the chapel of the funeral home with E.C. Harper Jr. as his best man; Guy decorated the chapel for the wedding.

He continued to work for Robertson Mueller Harper until 1947, when he joined Coca-Cola as a route salesman. He was instrumental in the installation of the first Coke vending machines in food stores. Bob worked for Coca-Cola 38 years, retiring in 1985 as a marketing representative.

Not one to remain idle, Bob rejoined the funeral home, where he worked until 1999. He was a past member of the Fort Worth Elks Club and the Fort Worth Lions Club.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Raymond and I.B. "Buster" Greer Jr.

Survivors: Wife of 56 years, Dorothy "Polly" Greer; son, Robert L. Greer Jr.; daughter, Deborah Greer Bodiford and her husband, Ed, all of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Shelley Taylor and Morgan Greer; step-grandchildren, Amy Bodiford Beck and Chris Taylor; sister, Thelma Greer Barham of Odessa; five nieces; one nephew; and numerous friends, especially at "Railhead Smokehouse."