Robert Lee Gaines

Robert (Bob) Lee Gaines, 100, of Bridgewater, VA passed away peacefully Monday, August 25, 2025, at Bridgewater Retirement Community.

He was born January 25, 1925, in McPherson, Kansas and was the son of the late Weldon and Fannie (Yoder) Gaines. Mr. Gaines served with the 47th Armored Infantry Battalion in the U.S. Army during WW II. He was stationed in France in the early 1945 as part of the European Theater of Operations. He was very proud to have served his country. He worked 27 years for Harman Hatchery, Carr's Poultry and Livestock Specialty, and retired from Cannon, where was an electrician. Bob was a long-time member of the Bridgewater VFW Post 8644 and a dedicated member of Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren where he held many positions.

On December 24, 1948, he married Dorothy (Plaugher) Gaines, who preceded him in death March 20, 1984.

Also preceding him in death are a brother, Paul Gaines; sisters, Arlene Gaines, Virginia (Gaines) Farren, Anna Mae (Gaines) Steele, and Ellen (Gaines) Farren.

On August 2, 1986, he married Corinne (Simmons) Gaines, who survives.

Surviving are son, John (Arneda) Gaines, Phoenix, AZ and daughter, Gloria (Rodney) Hildebrand, Bridgewater, VA; three step-sons, Randy Simmons, Waynesboro, VA, Brad (Valerie) Simmons, Broadway, Va. and Curtis (Kristy) Simmons, Lake Wylie, SC.

Grandchildren, Scott (Beth) Hildebrand, Gibsonville, NC, Ryan (Jennifer) Hildebrand, Bridgewater, VA, Charity (Chad) Best Phoenix, AZ, Autumn (Steve) Jones, Royce City, TX., Tyler Simmons, Arlington, VA., Kirby Simmons, Fredericksburg, VA., Aarika (Leon) Malca, Bridgewater, VA, John (Ashley) Skelly, Broadway, VA, Devon (Chris) Diehl, Bridgewater, VA and Olivia Simmons, Lake Wylie, SC.

Great-grandchildren, Grady (Rose) Hildebrand, Wilmington, NC, Libby Hildebrand, Phoenix, AZ, Audrey and Clara Hildebrand, Bridgewater, VA., Avery and Brody Best, Phoenix AZ, Emilee, Allie and Nolan Jones, Royce City, TX, Lilly and Eli Malca, Bridgewater, VA, Coleman and Lane Skelly, Broadway, VA and Nolan Diehl, Bridgewater, VA.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren in Harrisonburg with Pastor Ed Steele and Chaplain Russ Barb officiating. Interment will be private at Mt. Horeb Cemetery in Hinton with full military rites by Dayton American Legion Post 27.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.

The family would like to thank the Assisted Living staff for the loving caring that he received during his stay at Bridgewater Retirement Community.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Pleasant Church of the Brethren or Honor Flight Top of Virginia at P.O. Box 163 Middletown, VA 22645.