Bobby Bedford Brashear

1926 - 2024

Brashear, Bobby Bedford

July 10, 1926 - April 4, 2024

In the early hours of April 4, 2024, we lost an amazing American here on earth, but heaven likely gained its best pilot yet. Renowned pilot, mechanic and fixer of all things, Bob Brashear, went peacefully into the presence of his Father in his sleep. All that knew him will miss hearing first hand accounts of things like life without electricity, indoor plumbing, the Great Depression and the encouragement he brought to their lives. 

 

Bob was born in Rising Star, Texas on July 10, 1926 to Edwin and Carl Oline Brashear. He was the 4th son and 7th child of the 8 born to his parents. He grew up on a farm near Brownwood, TX in the heart of the Depression, struggling like many Americans at the time. 

 

Bob married Catherine Squires on May 29, 1943, a courtship that was cemented when he paid off her family's bill at the local store and led to a long year marriage of 53 years.  The couple flew all over the country in Bob's aircraft, at times just to grab breakfast in a place it would take hours to drive.  Bob and Catherine had two children, Bob Jr. and Carline, born in 1946 and 1948, respectively.  Bob lived to love them and provide for them until their deaths in 2017 and 2018.

 

Joining the military in 1944, Bob served his country in World War II and in the Korean War. On the day of his death, he was one of the oldest WWII veterans in the country. He worked for Central Freight Lines for decades before retiring to his own personal shop in the early 1980s. Bob managed the shop at Central, supervising dozens of mechanics over the years that kept trucks on the road. 

 

The passion of his life was airplanes.  He built and flew planes consistently for over 80 years.  Builders and pilots from all over brought their issues to Bob.  Many picked his brain until he was well into his 90s. For many of the years he lived out on Ross Road north of Waco, there was a fuselage or car in his shop at all times.  

 

Bob quite literally helped people every day of his life. If he wasn't fixing something someone else broke, he was building something for himself or someone else to enjoy. It's not an exaggeration to say that he was one of the finest mechanics around.  

 

After Catherine's death, Bob married Sybil Williams who joined him on many adventures both on land and in the air until her death in 2015.  Late in life, Bob reconnected with an old friend, Wanda Hamilton Yowell, and they married in 2019.  She was by Bob's side, providing excellent care for him and loving him until his last breath.  

 

Survivors include:  his wife, Wanda Hamilton Yowell Brashear, his daughter-in-law Edie Brashear, his son-in-law Wade Maybin, and his 5 grandsons; Doug and Rick Brashear and Cale, Russell and Bradley Maybin and their families. In addition, from his 5 grandsons, Bob is survived by 23 great grandkids, and 18 great great grandkids.

 

Services for Bob will be held at his home church, Meadowbrook Baptist in Robinson, on April 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.  Visitation will follow at 11:00 a.m.