Robert Dee Longshore's Obituary
Robert “Bob” Dee Longshore, of Mesquite, Texas, passed away on June 10, 2023, at
the age of 100.
Bob was born in Commerce, Texas, on January 25, 1923, to Otis and Leonora
Longshore. An active member of First Baptist Church, Bob graduated from Commerce
High School where he played football and was co-captain of the team.
Shortly after high school graduation, Bob joined the Army in 1940 and served as a first
sergeant in the Army Signal Corps attached to the Air Force during World War II. He
was honorably discharged in 1945 having been awarded 9 Bronze Stars, 1 Bronze
Arrowhead, the American Defense Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
While stationed in Darmstadt, Germany, Bob felt God calling him to preach. Upon
returning to the US following the war, he was ordained to the ministry by First Baptist
Church, Commerce, in 1946. He attended Baylor University where he earned his
Bachelor of Arts degree. He then enrolled in Southwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary where he earned his Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees.
While a student at Baylor, Bob met his wife of nearly 75 years, Anita Ruth Moore. They
were married on June 18,1948, in Winnsboro, Texas. Together they served in ministry
until retirement.
From his seminary days until 1966, Bob served churches in Texas as pastor including
Fairlie, Heidenheimer, First Baptist Church of College Station, and First Baptist Church
of Littlefield. In 1966, he joined the Baptist General Convention of Texas as a
development officer. In 1969, Bob was instrumental in starting Baylor University’s
Student Foundation, a student organization that has since raised over $5 million in
student scholarships. He retired from the Baptist General Convention of Texas in 1985
as the Director of the Texas Baptist Institutional Development Program.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Leonora Longshore; brother, Ray
Longshore; sisters Jean Bowman and Wanda Osburn; and nephews Steve Longshore
and Eric Bowman. He is survived by his wife, Anita; daughters, Catherine Rendon of
Mesquite, Faith (Steve) Houston of Sunnyvale, and Deanna (Scott) Harrison of Denver,
CO; grandchildren, Andreana (Darin) Peterson, Josh (Carrie) Houston, Judson
(Deanna) Houston, Melanie (Blake) Fulenwider, and Jonathan (Danielle) Harrison;
great-granddaughter Ella Houston and great-grandsons William Harrison, James
Fulenwider, and Alexander Harrison; nieces Jean Cagle and Lisa Channel and
nephews Ray (Carolyn) Longshore Jr., Jim (Joan) Bowman, and Don (Sue) Osburn;
and close family friends Roopa and Paul Dearing.
Visitation will be Saturday, June 17, at 1:00 PM at Restland Funeral Home Memorial
Chapel, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, with a memorial service immediately
following at 2:00 PM. Burial will be on June 21 at 1:00 PM at the DFW National
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baylor University Student Foundation, the
Baptist General Convention of Texas designated for the “Pastor Sabbatical Grant,” or to
a charity of your choice.
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