Robert Benson "Bob" Askew

1924 - 2011

Our beloved daddy, grandpa and husband, Robert Benson "Bob" Askew, passed away Monday, Jan. 10, 2011. Service: Private services will be held later at his family farm. He willed his body to UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas to help expand medical and scientific horizons to make our world better. He was born in Graham on May 26, 1924, to Robert L. and Ethel L. Askew. He grew up on his family farm in Graham and was raised by family he always fondly remembered. He graduated from Graham High School in 1942 and attended Texas Tech University. He served his country during World War II in the Pacific front in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and we always considered him our hero, for his service to our great country. After returning from World War II, he married Jo Ann Roark in March 1950. They had two daughters, Dee Dee and Darla, and raised them in Arlington, where he had lived since 1951. Bob worked for 35 years for Vought Aircraft. He was a member of North Davis Church of Christ for over 45 years. Grandpa loved God, his family, his country and state, his friends, Texas Longhorn sports, hunting and fishing at his family farm and in Colorado, and his Dallas Cowboys. We will always remember his kind and gentle strength, and we considered him one of the best men we ever knew. He was one of the good ones from the "Greatest Generation" who exemplified strong work ethic, loyalty and service to his family and country, and faithful love of God. He loved to travel and spent many joyful years seeing the country, and camping with his friends and family. In retirement, he and his wife reconnected with old friends and made many new ones through a camping club in Graham, with whom he enjoyed years of playing games of 42 and 84 and partaking of the delicious potlucks. We will always remember his kind, hazel eyes and his warm never-ending smile. We consider him one of our greatest blessings and will miss him for the rest of our lives. Survivors: Wife, Jo Ann Askew; daughters, Dee Dee Hankinson and Darla Hensley and their families; grandchildren, Tyler, Makayla and Summer Hensley, and Jill Hankinson; great-granddaughter, Brittlyn Hensley; and beloved friends and cousins who meant the world to him.