Bobby Gray Renegar

Mr. Bobby Gray Renegar, (95), passed away on January 20, 2025. He was born on October 8,1929, to the late Paul Bliss Renegar and Edna Smith Renegar. He was a devoted husband of almost 58 years to Nellie Chamberlain Renegar who passed in 2007 (“the only girl I ever dated”). He was also preceded in death by brother, Paul Bristol Renegar; sister, Estelle Renegar Baity; and brother, Jerry Parks Renegar. He is survived by his sister Laura Renegar Chamberlain. Bob loved spending time with his family and devoted his time to son, Gray (Amber) Renegar and daughter Debbie (Ron) Bray; grandchildren, Josh Renegar, Will (Natalie) Renegar, Maggie Renegar, Dallas (Grace) Bray, and Rachel (Andrew) Doss; great-grandchildren, Everly Renegar, Harper Bray, Vivienne Doss, and Valentina Doss. Bob’s unofficial career title was mechanical engineer. He worked for 32 years at the NC Department of Transportation as a mechanic. After retirement, he opened his own garage where he repaired vehicles for numerous people. He never turned down anyone who pulled into his shop to get advice. Bob was an avid lover of cars – especially Dodges and Hudson Hornets. His own garage was named “The Dodge House.” He and wife Nellie were members of the Dogwood Chapter of the Hudson Essex Club and traveled to many meets where they made lifelong friends who also owned Hudson Hornets. Bob was an active member of Sandy Springs Baptist Church where he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, RA Leader, and head of the Cemetery Committee. He also went on several mission trips with the Baptist men to do construction work. One hobby of his was playing golf which he took up after his wife Nellie passed in 2007. He was on the golf course even past his 95th birthday! He enjoyed playing with his son Gray and his special long-time friend Garner Smith. Bob and Nellie loved to travel, especially to the beach, with the late Mac and Ann Wood and Harold and Betty Cranfill. Later they loved to camp at the beach and mountains and had a permanent campsite at Greenfield in West Jefferson for several years. He also drove his family cross-country twice to Disneyland. He and his family also took trips to Walt Disney World and 2 World’s Fairs. Another hobby was his love of NASCAR. His favorite drivers were Lee and Richard Petty who he occasionally spent time with at their garage in Level Cross. Bob was always inclined to help anyone in need – friend or stranger – and was known in the community as being honest and reliable in his dealings with people. He also supported two boys from the Philippines through Children’s International and was an avid animal lover. He was known for giving everybody he encountered Life Savers, along with Hudson and Dodge House ballpoint pens. In 1970 he almost died from complications from surgery. After weeks in the hospital, he credited prayers from his church and other churches one Sunday morning with a sudden improvement in his recovery. This incident became his witness to the power of prayer for the rest of his life, with 2 Chronicles 7:14 becoming “his verse.” His family would like to thank Mountain Valley Hospice and Robbie Caudle, Betty Stroud, and Priscilla Collette for their help during his sickness. Mr. Renegar will be available for public viewing, Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville. A memorial service will be held Sunday, January 26, at 2:00 PM at Sandy Springs Baptist Church by Curtis Carmack and David Kiser. The family will receive friends after the service from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in Bob’s memory may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice or Sandy Springs Church Cemetery. Gentry Family Funeral Service of Yadkinville is serving the Renegar family.

The service will begin live-streaming Sunday at 1:45 PM, by clicking the link below.