Music lost a lover. We lost one of our biggest fans. Heaven gained.
Our dear friend, Bobby McCleery, passed away on February 16, 2013. Yep, Bobby. It wasn't short for Robert or any other high-browed name. It was as simple as the man himself. Overcoming a life of struggles from military service to the realities of marriage and children while dealing with an alcohol problem, Bob finally came to know a better life for himself. He spent his last years, months, days, hours with family, friends and the love of Christ.
Bob loved music. He lived with my parents for ten years or more. While living there, he would come out of his bedroom to listen to us sing to mama during our visits. After mama passed away in 2010 , Bob moved to North Carolina to live with us. He'd keep to himself but we always knew that music would draw him out.
Bob attended The Grove Church with us while he was here. Every Sunday morning he was up and dressed in his cleanest clothes, hair slicked back and beard combed, waiting for us. You'd think a man like Bob would like a church a little more traditional, but he fit right in, hands in pockets, standing and rocking to the music. Of the few real friends he made while here, he loved and always talked about Kerby Worley. One Saturday night Bob had a few too many beers (quarts as he'd call them), and the next morning decided he was too hung over for church. When Kerby arrived to pick him up, Bob was sitting on the neighbor's deck having coffee. Bob watched Kerby knock on the door and then yelled that he wasn't going to make it. Kerby didn't take no for an answer that morning. I wish you could hear Bob tell this part of the story. Bob said, "I told Kerby I wasn't going to church and he said, 'Bob, get your ass down here right now.' I 'bout died! Can he do that?"
When I texted the news about Bob's passing that morning, Kerby sent a message back that read as follows:
"Was great to know him. We will see him soon enough. I don't know if I'll recognize a young Bob when we get there. Might need your help."
He'll be easy to find, Kerby. When you get there just start playing music, he'll find you.
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| Bob's place on our back porch. |
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| This is Bob with my Aunt Joan at Hemlock Inn. |
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| Bob & Aj on the road to nowhere |
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| Bob was my dad's best bud. |
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| Bob and Aj's dinner date. haha (This was Bob's first proper glass of wine.) |
