Robert Tolbert

TOLBERT, ROBERT

Robert H. (Bob) Tolbert, 97, who lived most of his life in Troy, Alabama, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2016, in Panama City Beach, Florida, at Provision Assisted Living Center. He was born in Huntington, West Virginia, but spent his youth in Gainesville, Florida. After high school, he joined the military and while serving in Nashville, Tennessee, met his future bride, Luna Margaret Everage of Troy, AL, now deceased. After his stint in the military during World War ll, he and Margaret moved to Troy. Bob attended St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Bob began his career in Troy in the retail trade before venturing into a broadcasting career at WTBF. ln the fall of 1950, he began announcing on The Morning Show between 6 and 8 a.m. For the next 30 years he not only hosted The Morning Show but also announced Troy High School, later Charles Henderson High School sports. ln addition, he became the voice of Troy State University football and basketball, and in 1968, announced Troy State University's first national football championship. Bob had many interests. ln the early 1950s he helped develop a perpetual care cemetery now known as Green Hills Cemetery where his first born, Robert (Rip) Tolbert, his wife Margaret, and where he will now be laid to rest. Bob opened Tolbert Homes in 1951 and built homes in and around the Troy area until his retirement in 1982. ln 1973, he, along with several local investors, started Troy Cablevision, which would later expand to 17 cable television franchises across south AIabama. He served on the Edge Hospital Board for 20 years - the last few years as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He also served as the director of the Troy Chamber of Commerce from 1976-1978. After his retirement, Bob and Margaret moved to Panama City, Florida to be near their son Gary. Bob is survived by his brother William (Bill) Handley who resides in Rabun Gap, GA; Rip's wife, Martha Tolbert and their two children, son Rob and daughter Karen. Rob and his wife Amber live in Herndon, VA, and have two sons, Houston and Carson. Karen married William (Billy) Powell and lives in Enterprise, AL. They have three children; a daughter Kailey and two sons, Will and Preston. Bob's second son Patrick (Pat) Tolbert and wife Carole live in Nashville, TN, and have three sons. Their first son, Brett and his wife Karen have a daughter, Christine and son, Reed. Pat and Carole's other two sons are Seth and Graham. Bob's third son, Thomas (Tommy) Tolbert and his wife Karol live in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and have one son, Kyle. Bob's fourth son, Gary Tolbert lives in Panama City Beach, FL. Gary and his wife Wendy have two children, a daughter, Jacquelyn and son, Kevin. Funeral Service will be held Thursday, February 25, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Green Hills Funeral Home with Father Den Irwin and Reverend Dave Kirby officiating. Family members will greet friends at Green Hills Funeral Home for one hour prior to the service. Graveside services will follow in Green Hills Cemetery. Bob will be buried next to his wife Margaret. Serving as pallbearers will be Graham Tolbert, Seth Tolbert, Pat Tolbert, Rob Tolbert, Kyle Tolbert, and Kevin Decker. Honorary pallbearers will be Asa Dudley, Doc Kirby, Jim Roling and Richard "Dickie" Gilchrist. Flowers will be accepted or memorials can be made to the Military Order of the Purple Hearts, PO Box 227, Troy, AL 36081. The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Tolbert family.