Bobby John Gee's Obituary
LTC (ret) Bobby John Gee 1940-2016
Bobby John Gee, lived his life with the love of the Lord and showered it upon all he met. We are all richer because of him in our lives and will miss him every single day till we meet again.
Bobby, age 76 years, passed away March 31, 2016 at home from a 22 month courageous battle with glioblastoma brain cancer.
Bobby was born in Muleshoe, Texas, January 24, 1940, to John and Gracie (Waller) Gee. He was very proud of his Texan heritage and had wonderful memories of growing up on their farm and playing with his many cousins. He often talked about the fact that he didn’t have an indoor toilet until he was 10 years old and his duties in the morning included emptying the chamber pot.
Bobby graduated from Medford High School in 1958 as a football hero. He graduated with a ROTC commission and a BA in political science from Washington State University in 1963 and entered the US Army. He achieved his goal of becoming both an aviator and a Ranger. He served with the 221st Aviation Platoon, 1965-66, Call Sign -Shotgun 22, in Vietnam. He received many awards including the Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and 21 other commendations for his bravery as a spotter pilot in drawing enemy fire to facilitate ground attacks. He then spent 18 more years in the Washington Army National Guard as an aviator flying helicopters and as an XO of the army reserve tug boat battalion. He was very proud and humble about his military service. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Although he was a WA State University Cougar at heart, he went on to earn his MBA at the University of WA. He also never lost touch with his WSU fraternity brothers of Phi Delta Theta. Once a Coug – forever a Coug.
Bobby had three children who survive him: Angela, Erik and Kenneth Gee with former wife Karen Nelson.
Bob married Janice Lynne Hackney in 1983. They were the love of each other’s lives. Their love story lasted to his last breath. Bob embraced Jan’s three children: Mark Moeller (Melissa), Colette Wiley (deceased) and Brent Wiley (Jessica). Bob was the patriarch of both his and Jan’s families and brought joy, guidance, love and blessings to all of us.
Bobby was a renaissance man excelled in many areas of careers and life in general. He flew for a commercial airlines, lobbied the state legislature as a business partner with Jan and worked in banking and finance for many years.
Bobby was a friend of Bill W for 28 years and was instrumental in starting a Celebrate Recovery program at Our Savior Lutheran Church. He also served as a visiting minister at a local retirement center. He was a lifetime member of Lakewood Rotary, served on the Board of the Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Pierce Co. and was the Campaign Chair for United Way in 1986. He could never find enough ways to help people, church and community and the many awards bestowed upon him reflected his giving heart.
In addition to his children and wife Janice, he is survived by his sister Debbie Acord (Jim), sister-in-law Lin Alderman (Jesse Brewer)and sister-in-law Sheri Coen, grandchildren Kenneth (KJ) Gee; Megan, Jamie and Nicole Gee; and Mary, Matthew and Micah Moeller.
In lieu of flowers, we are asking that donations be made to the Fred Hutch/Memorial or Lakewood Community Foundation Fund (Rotary) in memory of Bob Gee. The family extends it heartfelt thanks for all the Hospice support and loving care of Karen from Visiting Angels.
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