Robert Lee Cargile

Robert Lee Cargile, III, was born July 13, 1947, in Cedartown, GA, to parents Robert L. and Hazel Chandler Cargile. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. He later went on to manage the Student Health Dept at USC and most recently served as Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee.
Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother, and his family was the most important thing in his life. For years one of his favorite joys was gathering all his family together in the summer for a week in a mountain cabin. It made him happy to know he was creating wonderful memories for all of them.
Bob and his wife, Helen, met in 1993, when he was serving as a National Park Ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Blowing Rock, North Carolina area. They were married for 28 years.
His happiest work years were spent at UT where his colleagues became lasting friends.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, and infant, daughter Leesa Marie. He is survived by his loving wife, sister, Mary Catherine Cargile, daughter Liz Hall (Greg) Warnock, sons Nick (Lauren) Cargile, John (Callie) Harmon, grandchildren Mollie Ane, Siler Rex, Ava Grace and Ann Elizabeth, his children's mother Helene Cargile, niece and nephew Stephanie and Lance, and very special friends Raymond Norris, Debbie Blair and Gail Matthews.
The family will receive friends 2:00pm, Friday, January 9, 2026, at St. James Episcopal Church (1101 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917) with a service to follow at 3pm.
Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Cargile family and invites you to view and sign the online registry. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert, please visit our floral store.