Bobby Sloan

1939 - 2026

Bobby Wayne Sloan, 86, formerly of Cary, N.C., died on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

He was born on April 13, 1939, to the late Robert and Fannie Ree Sloan of Durham County. From his parents, he developed a strong work ethic, a love of fishing and spending time on the water.

Bobby attended Lowes Grove in Durham, N.C., where he was involved in the Future Farmers of America during his freshman and sophomore years and served as treasurer for both his class and his homeroom in his junior year. In his senior year, he became among the first students to attend Southern High School in Durham, N.C. The signatures in his yearbook tell the story of years of friendship with many calling him their "best friend."

Bobby graduated from Southern in June 1957 and married his high school sweetheart, Kay Johnson, on Oct. 27, 1957.

Once married, he worked to support his wife and their two children. Bobby worked for the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) where he rose through the ranks to become the superintendent of inventories.

Bobby spent 38 years with the NCDOT, retiring in 2000. In June 2001, he and Kay hooked up their camper and took off on a cross-country tour. Their trip included 26 days of travel and covered points of interest in 11 states over a course of 6,094 miles.

Over the years, Bobby enjoyed trips with his family to Kerr Lake where they went fishing and waterskiing. He also enjoyed working on cars, loved watching westerns, embraced cowboy culture, and took up leather working, becoming skilled at making belts and dying boots and shoes. He spent many afternoons in his garage working on projects. His rolling toolbox stayed organized with everything in its place.

He also enjoyed spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. For his granddaughters, he was known to wear She-ra Princess of Power party hats, and for his grandson and great-grandson, he was even willing to tolerate watching episodes of Blue's Clues, though he was quick to let everyone know it was his least favorite.

In his later years, Bobby and Kay enjoyed camping in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and making friends at their retirement village in Cary, N.C.

Bobby was preceded in death by his wife, Kay.

He is survived by his son, Randy Sloan (Sheila) of Bolivia, N.C.; his daughter Robin Morris (Mark) of Cary, N.C.; grandchildren, Renee Spencer (Marc) of Southport, N.C.; Ashley Sloan of Bolivia, N.C., and Nick Morris of Morrisville, N.C.; one great-grandson, Levi Spencer of Southport, N.C.; cousin, Mary Elizabeth O'Briant (Eric) of Oak Island, N.C.; and a community of special friends from church.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, March 7 at Hudson Funeral Home, 211 S. Miami Blvd., Durham, N.C. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon with the service beginning at noon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.