Bobby Glenn Nettleton

Bobby Glenn Nettleton was born on November 21, 1936, to Laura "Inez" and A.E. "Pete" Nettleton in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and passed away at home, surrounded by love, on January 1, 2022. Bob had a gruff and tough exterior with a caring and giving heart. He was a great example of "what would Jesus do" and not so much "what would Jesus say." He always had boundless energy and never sat still. He never drank or smoked, but had been known to cuss, a lot, and gamble, a little.
He was the oldest of four children and always took care of everyone else. Bob started working at a very young age and always had an extreme work ethic. He helped his parents with the family pigeon and chicken farm. Later on, his dad added a cow herd to the animals and Bob helped with them as well.
Bob started his formal work career at Cheetams Manufacturing in Oklahoma City making furniture. He also ran movies as a projectionist at night starting in the 1950s and remained in the union until the 1980's in case, he ever needed to run motion pictures again. From there he worked two full time jobs for 22 years. Daytime he worked at Oklahoma Natural Gas company where he started as a draftsman and worked up to a dispatch clerk. At night he was a Lake Patrol Ranger at Draper Lake from the time it was built until his retirement. He noted the best fishing spots before the lake water was filled in. Then he worked another 21 years at Leisure Time Recreational Vehicles, delivering RVs and being a parts runner until he was 82 years old. His job was eliminated when the company downsized in 2019, shortly after the dealership was sold to another company. He enjoyed his job and wanted to keep working.
He loved hunting, camping, fishing, boating, and hunting for arrowheads. He organized ski trips to Red River, New Mexico, for coworkers and family members. He made several trips to Gunnison, Colorado, with friends on hunting trips. He provided a hunting cabin on his 520 acres for friends and family members. He built it himself with some helpers and designed solar panel power and rainwater utilities. It was totally "off the grid." He went on numerous trips to look for Native American arrowheads along riverbeds and creeks in Oklahoma and on his land. He accumulated a substantial collection of artifacts including arrowheads, spearheads, and flint.
He bred, raised and showed Irish Wolfhounds. He bred the first litter born in Oklahoma. He chose this breed because it was the tallest dog in the world. The kennel name was Sunset Meadow Wood named after his home and land near Draper Lake.
During his life, he also developed 30 acres at Eufaula Lake called Rainbow Estates. He subdivided and sold lots, but kept the double A-frame log cabin he hand built on part of the property. He also owns another part of Rainbow Estates containing a stilt house for his family to use. There was one lot he would not sell because it had an old cemetery on it. He feared if he sold the lot, someone would desecrate the graves of the people buried there. Most are marked only with stones, but one has a hand carved headstone with a lamb sculpture. The headstone is for "Lucy A Wife, July 20 1874 - April 21 1897, Blessed are they that die in the Lord."
After he completed this development, he started acquiring property just NE of the Lake Eufaula Dam. He accumulated 520 acres of Belle Star canyon and Hi Early Mountain. He was convinced Belle Starr and her outlaws had left some treasure hidden somewhere on the property. It has a deep canyon, waterfall, continuous running stream, many huge rock formations, caves as well as a mountain meadow and small pond on top of the property. He always trekked all over the property and out walked many of his friends and family that followed him. He knew exactly which rock was the property line and often walked to the corners.
He was the primary caregiver for his mother for 18 years after his father passed away on Thanksgiving Day, 1986, of an unexpected heart attack. He took custodial care of her and made her the major focus of his life. Also at this time, he took over the care of the herd of cattle his father left behind. He kept every one of the original herd and only sold the herd after those individual cows his father had loved had passed away of natural causes. His father also left pigeons and chickens that had to be cared for until homes could be found for them. Bob took on this task to keep all the animals healthy.
He made 4 trips to Alaska with his family members. On one trip, he found the tribute to his ancestor Joseph N. "Strawberry Joe" Nettleton as a founder of Fairbanks. He could tell tales that surprised the tour guides like the time he wrestled a black bear in Del City, Oklahoma, when a travelling caravan came through there.
He was saved in the church at a young age but waited to be baptized until Jan 27, 2013. He was baptized at Life Church in Midwest City at the same time as 6 others of his family members.
Bob was generous and helped everyone that needed something. He helped many of his friends and family members get started on their lives and gave selflessly. He was always available to lend a hand to anyone in need. If you needed something, you could always count on Bob to help without reservation.
His devoted companion was his miniature dachshund, Sophie, that he got for Father's Day 2020 from his grandson. Sophie slept on his lap and guarded him through the end of his life. He called her "My little puppy" and "Shortie." She always stayed close to him when health care workers were in the house. He would pet her and comfort her when he was resting.
He has two children, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He loved attending their activities, especially any and all sports. He was always happy to attend birthday parties, holiday activities and any special occasion where the family got together.
Special thanks to those who provided loving care and comfort to Bob over the past few months.