George Robert Pidgeon Sr.

George Robert Pidgeon, Sr

memphis, TN

George Robert "Bobby" Pidgeon Sr. of Moscow, TN died at 84 years old on July 14, 2017. He lived his life with an independent spirit, a feisty attitude and dry humor. As a husband, father, grandfather and friend, he embodied strength and compassion – plus a sense of fun and adventure. He took life by the horns, and those around him learned to expect the unexpected.

After graduating from Christian Brothers High School and Memphis State University, he went to work for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Memphis, the third generation in his family to work there. In 1966, He became President and CEO until the company was sold more than 20 years later.

Bobby loved helping people. Both through his business and in his personal life he donated to many charities, always anonymously. He developed a legacy program for the American Cancer Society and was actively involved with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, the Rameses II Exhibit, Church Health Center and many others. In 1989, Dr. Scott Morris, CEO of Church Health, said he was told a homeless man wanted to see him. It was Bobby Pidgeon dressed in old clothes, who handed him a large check and said, "If anyone ever learns I gave you this, I will never give you another dime." Dr. Morris wouldn't tell the story until now.

Bobby was an avid sportsman and passionate outdoorsman, former member of the Five Lakes Club and lifetime member of the Memphis Gun Club. He was a founding board member of the Liberty Bowl, former board member of the Mid-South Fair, a founder of the National Football Stadium Association and avidly supported the Memphis Park Commission. Bobby played a major role in bringing professional soccer to Memphis and owned the Memphis Blues AA Baseball Team a New York Mets farm team, who won the pennant in 1969. He also developed The Shelby Showplace Arena and was the original underwriter for the Merry Christmas Memphis Parade.

Bobby, a passionate horseman, owned Bar H Ranche in Weatherford, Texas, a leading breeder of cutting horses and winner of the 1991 and 1992 Non Pro Futurity. He was inducted into the 2005 National Cutting Horse Association Non-Pro Rider Hall of Fame. His horse, Dual Pep, became one of the leading industry stallions. He also owned CD Olena, the 1994 NCHA Open Futurity Champion and the 1995 NCHA Horse Of The Year. Besides being a competitor, Bobby produced multiple Western Cutting competitions which were renowned for the excellent quality of horse competitions as well as a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for the competitors.

Bobby was married to Corinna (Renny) Fortune Pidgeon, for 61 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, George Robert Pidgeon, Jr., and three daughters, Corinna Pidgeon Harmon, Louise Ruth Pidgeon, Mary Pidgeon Coffman, grandchildren, Christopher Harmon, Mark Harmon, Corinna Pidgeon, Bobby Pidgeon III, Lily Pidgeon, Tee Pidgeon, Robin Coffman III and Alex Coffman, his sister, Helen Pidgeon Viar, and an eclectic group of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Everett Pidgeon and Ruth Burton Pidgeon, and his daughter, Leslie Pidgeon, and his brother J. Everett Pidgeon Jr., his sisters Ruth Mary Pidgeon Demere, Nell Smythe Pidgeon.

Services will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church, 203 S. White Station Road, with a visitation Monday, July 17 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. in the Clunan Center at St. Louis Church, and a funeral Mass Tuesday, July 18 at 1:30 p.m. followed by a private family burial in Calvary Cemetery.

The family asks that any donations in his memory be made to the Church Health Center or a charity of the donor's choice.