Robert Gordon "Bob" Bigham Jr.

Robert Gordon Bigham, Jr.Bob Bigham, beloved husband of Barbara and father of Leslie Bigham McFarland (Bill) of Houston and Maudie Bigham Kuns (Mike) of Oklahoma City, died July 8, 2008 after a two year battle against cancer. He was born in Denton, Texas on July 23, 1923, to Robert Gordon Bigham, Sr., and Texana Wilkirson Bigham. A graduate of Midland High School Class of '41, Bob attended the University of Texas until December 1943 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Pacific before being chosen for Naval ROTC, receiving a commission as an Ensign in 1945 from OU, where he met Barabara Patton. After he completed Supply Corp school, Bob and Barbara married in October, 1946. During his Naval career, Bob was stationed in Norfolk, VA Corpus Christi, TX San Diego, CA Philadelphia, PA Sasebo, Japan and Alexandria, VA, while he served both ship and shore duty. His favorite assignment was aboard the carrier USS Bon Homme Richard during the Korean War. He retired in 1963 as a Lt. Cmdr., after his duty on the USS Noble (APA-218), returning to Norman where he earned a business degree from OU. He subsequently went to work for the Oklahoma Dept. of Mental Health, eventually becoming the Director of Finance, until his retirement in 1986. For many years he was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church of Norman. Retirement allowed Bob and Barbara to spend their leisure time traveling and, after the birth of their granddaughter, Kristin Kuns, they moved to Oklahoma City in 1997 where their later years were filled with the joy of being grandparents. At Bob's request there will be no funeral service. Interment will take place at a later date at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. Memorials may be made to Mercy Hospice, 4401 W. Memorial, Suite 143, Oklahoma City, OK 73134.