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Submitted: 4/21/23 • Approved: 4/22/23 • Last Updated: 4/25/23 • R1482139-G0-S3
May 9, 1935 - February 21, 2022
Robert Bryan Tolley age 86 passed away on February 21, 2022 at Silver Oaks Nursing and Rehab in Camden, AR. He was born in Lola, Kentucky on May 9, 1935.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents Rob and Mildred Tolley, and the love of his life for 54 years, Betty Jean Tolley. He is survived by his Daughter and Son-In-Law, Jeannie and Shaw Andrews of Camden, Grandsons Wade and Zachary Andrews of Camden, his Sister, Nellie Jean Robertson (Jimmy) of Grand Rivers, KY, his Brothers, Harold Tolley, Carroll Tolley (Carol), and Kenny Tolley (Pat) all of Lola KY, Brother-In-Law, Doug Ruby of Irwin Idaho along with numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Robert or “Bob” as many called him, lived a full life. He was born during the height of the Great Depression and grew up during the Second World War. He told many stories of his raising, whether it was how his family didn’t get electricity until the 1940s or when his Dad got his first tractor, a Ford-Ferguson during WW2. In Bob’s late teens he left the family farm for a bit and lived in Louisville and Cleveland, working in different factory and warehouse settings. Soon after he returned home for a while, then he was enlisted in the United States Army on May 22, 1956. He trained at Ft Hood Texas and Ft Lewis Washington. After training he was stationed in post war Germany. On December 13, 1957 he was honorably discharged. While in the service he received the Good Conduct Medal. After his Army tenure he was offered a job in Los Angles, California. He and a friend from Lola moved there. In California Bob worked construction. By trade he was a lather. It was there in California, in his apartment building, he would meet the woman he would be married to for 54 years. On July 20, 1959, Bob and Betty eloped in Las Vegas NV, where they were married by a “one armed Christian Preacher.” In later years both Bob and Betty told stories of their escapades in California. It was in 1967 they welcomed their beautiful baby girl into the world. With a new daughter to raise and wanting to get back to his rural roots, Bob and Betty purchased a house in Arkansas in 1968 on Betty’s family land. Then in 1969 they packed up, said their goodbyes, and moved to Camden Arkansas. Here in Arkansas, Bob got back to his agricultural roots and made a career in production Agriculture. It was during the 1970s he owned and operated a pulpwood logging business. In 1972 however, it was that year he bought his first registered Polled Hereford. From that point forward Tolley’s Polled Herefords grew. His passion for registered cattle was one of the many things that defined who he was. In the 80s and 90s he sold MoorMan’s feed. That was something he always enjoyed. He never met a stranger and could talk to anyone. The 1990s for Bob and Betty brought them a Son-In-Law and two grandsons. In his later years as in years past his family was his focus. Bob enjoyed spending time with his grandsons, whether it was going to buy feed for the cattle, going out to eat, or making one of the very many trips to Kentucky. Here at home Bob was involved in many different areas. He was a faithful member of Two Bayou Church of Christ, his love for the Lord was showed everyday. He was very generous, always willing to give the shirt off his back. He served on the Ouachita County Farm Bureau board for many years. When he was able he always enjoyed the Farm Bureau trips he and Betty would take. He was also a supporter of the Ouachita County Fair, the Fairview FFA Chapter and the local 4H groups. Robert was also very active in the Magnolia Hereford Association. For over 20 years He and Betty acted as the association secretary and help run the annual sale – a task that truly defined his passion for people and his Hereford cattle.
Funeral service will be 10:00AM Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Two Bayou Church of Christ with burial in Greening Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00PM to 8:00PM Friday at Proctor Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Maul Road Church of Christ Food Pantry.
Contributed on 4/21/23 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1482139