Robert "Bob" Power's Obituary
Robert Alexander (Bob) Power, youngest child of Dr. Charles Lewis Power and Alice Elizabeth McLain Power, was born in Shreveport, LA on October 11, 1933. A preacher’s kid, Bob’s social life revolved around church activities. In 1948, the family moved to Sardis, MS, where Bob graduated as president and salutatorian of the Class of ’51 from Sardis High School, where he also lettered in football on a state championship team.Following high school, Bob attended Southwestern at Memphis (his father’s alma mater) and went on to study civil engineering at LSU, graduating with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1956 serving as chapter president of Tau Beta Pi and moderator of Presbyterian Westminster Fellowship. While working the Westminster registration table, Bob met his future wife, incoming freshman music major Berneita Main from Winnfield, LA.Following graduation, Bob worked for Temco in Grand Prairie, TX for eight months. He then completed his military obligation with the Naval Reserve Aviation Office Candidate (AOC) program in Pensacola, FL. During this time, Bob returned to Baton Rouge to marry Berneita on June 2, 1957. Their wedding was co-officiated by Bob’s father. After a one-night honeymoon, the happy couple moved into Navy housing. Soon thereafter, Bob took advantage of an offer to opt out of the service after thirteen months in the Navy and returned to his job at Temco, which had moved its engineering activities to a new plant in Garland, TX. (Temco was later known as LTV Electrosystems, and then E-Systems.)Bob and Berneita joined a new church being organized by evangelist Walter C. Easton in Garland. Meeting in a storefront, this group became Southminster Presbyterian Church in 1958, with Bob and Berneita among the charter members. Bob was elected a deacon at the organizing meeting, and Berneita became the organist.Bob and Berneita welcomed their first child, Thomas Lee, who was born on June 9, 1962. Bob took graduate courses in the evenings, earning an MS in Civil Engineering from SMU in 1962. In 1963, they purchased their home at 514 Ridgedale Drive in Garland.On August 15, 1964, they added to the family again with the birth of daughter Linda Carole. Berneita and Bob continued to be active at Southminster—Berneita serving for many years as Choir Director and Bob as Clerk of Session.In 1993, Bob took voluntary retirement from his position as Engineering Manager. In retirement, Bob and Berneita enjoyed traveling (New England, Europe, Hawaii, New York City, Alaska, Greece, British Columbia the Canadian Rockies, and other points of interest.)Berneita passed away October 7, 2003 after a year-long bout with cancer. Bob continued to live in the family home until 2015, when he moved into a retirement community in Garland. He moved into an assisted living community in San Antonio in the Spring of 2018.Bob went to be with his Lord on January 22, 2019. He is survived by his two children, Thomas Power of Houston and Linda Power of San Antonio, and two grandchildren, Noah and Charles Power of Houston, his brother, William Power of Austin, and loving nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Berneita Power, and siblings Sarah Guillory, Helen Crider, Charles Power, Mary Alice Rainbolt, and Thomas Power.Bob was a shining example to his family and friends; a loving husband and father, and a faithful church member, deacon, and elder. He will be remembered as a man who was always ready to listen and lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it, whether family, friend, or neighbor.Visitation will be on Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the 1st Presbyterian Church of Garland, 930 W Ave B. Celebration of Bob’s life will begin at 3:00 PM.
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