Robert "Bob" Henry Potts

          Robert Henry Potts (“Bob”) was born in Douglasville, Pennsylvania on March 2, 1935, to George Edward Potts and Helen Margaret (Bryan) Potts. Bob went home to be with his Lord and Savior on May 27, 2024, appropriately on Memorial Day for a man with deep commitment, service, and devotion to his country as a proud Veteran of the United States Air Force.

 

          Bob grew up in Pennsylvania and enjoyed his childhood with his younger sister, Grace Elaine Potts. He graduated from Mount Penn High School in Mt. Penn, PA in 1952. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force and completed basic training at Chanute Air Force Base. From there, he was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, where he met and married the love of his life, Barbara Ruth Gourdon. Bob and Barbara shared sixty-nine wonderful years of marriage and one son, Dr. James Michael Potts, the blessing of their lives. 

 

          After serving in the Air Force, he began his civilian life working for several esteemed companies, Western Electric, AT&T, and Lucent. Bob was a dedicated employee, being awarded with perfect attendance several times. While working full-time, Bob attended LSU Shreveport at night and graduated in 1977. Bob retired from civilian life as a Supervisor at Lucent in 1993.

 

          Bob and Barbara were long-time members of Christ United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Men’s Prayer Breakfast and served on the Church Council, Administrative Board, and several other committees. True to his character, Bob opened the church every Sunday morning, making sure the heat was on and the coffee was brewed for Fellowship Time. Bob videoed the services each Sunday and made recordings for the homebound. Ending each Sunday the way he began, Bob checked on the church and locked up at the close of the day.

 

          Bob’s church and civic service were a large part of his life and recognized by his peers. He received the UMW Life Membership Award for his service to the church and his community. Bob was a member of the Summer Grove Lions Club where he served as Treasurer for several years. After retirement, Bob tutored children at Southern Hills Elementary School.

 

          In 2008, Bob and Barbara moved to Monroe, Louisiana after living in Shreveport for fifty-five years to be closer to their only son, Jimmy. Bob and Barbara attended St. Paul’s Methodist Church for several years before becoming involved members of First Methodist Monroe. Bob and Barbara attended the Aldersgate Sunday School Class and greatly enjoyed the love and friendship it provided.

          Bob enjoyed his days, and you could almost always find him working in the yard, cutting limbs, picking up pecans, volunteering at Chennault Aviation Museum, visiting with friends, watching his great-grandchildren play, or sneaking a pretzel rod. Bob was a man of service and spent his days serving his family, friends, church, and community.

 

          Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, as well as his beloved father-in-law and mother-in-law (Joe and Maxine Gourdon), and brothers-in-law, Grayson Gourdon and Charles Dickerson. Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara, and son, James Potts and daughter-in-law Sheryl; Grandson John Potts and his wife Emily; Granddaughter Judge Megan Garrott and her husband Anderson; Great-Grandchildren Caroline and Maddie Mae Potts and Beau, Shepard, and Collier Garrott; Sisters-in-Law Faye Dickerson and Ann Sewell; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

 

          Funeral services for Mr. Robert Henry Potts (“Bob”), 89, of Monroe, LA, will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, May 31, 2024, at First Methodist Church in Monroe, LA, with Dr. Brian Mercer officiating. Interment will be at Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Rayville, LA under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home.

 

Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. until service time on Friday, at the church.

 

Pallbearers will be John Potts, Anderson Garrott, Chuck Dickerson, Alan Chance, Bobby Jones, and Gene Baker.

 

Honorary Pallbearers will be Jerry Busby, Lane Sewell, Rev. Larry Stafford, and Rev. J. Roddy Taylor.

 

          The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to Dr. Charles Morgan and Dr. Barry Weinburger and their staff, the caretakers from Good Shepherd Personal Care, and Louisiana Hospice & Palliative Care.

 

          In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Methodist Church TV Ministry, Chennault Aviation Museum, or the charity of your choice.