Robert Bowling, 63, passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2017, following a massive heart attack.

Bobby was born February 14, 1953, in Hawthorn, California. His mom told everyone that he was born at the same hospital as Desi Araz Jr, but we're not sure if that's true. Bobby was raised by his mother and his grandparents in Castro Valley, California.

Bobby joined the California Air National Guard at age 18 and then the Air Force at age 21, in which he served as an electrician and a volunteer fire fighter. He was in the USAF for eight years and stationed at Holloman AFB, Sheppard AFB, and Hofn AFS in Iceland. After an honorable discharge, he worked for TU Electric for twelve years, and then was The Satellite Guy for all of East Texas for seven years before retiring. After retirement, he went to college at Stephen F Austin State University and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. He then pursued a hobby as a private investigator. Bobby loved to help people and could fix virtually anything – if you knew him he probably fixed something in your house or on your car! He enjoyed cars – especially taking them apart; bowling – because that was his middle name for 41 years; racing – because he loved fast cars; Boston and Rush – because they were the best bands EVER; fishing – especially trout; martial arts – achieving a second-degree black belt in Karate; mortorcycles – especially riding with the Patriot Guard; and electronics and new technologies of all types. He was called crazy by everyone he knew for buying one of the first home computers, a TI-99/4A in 1981, and subsequentially raised the three smartest computer nerds in history. Bobby liked living in the country, but with all the amenities that a big city has to offer. He often chased after big adventures and passions, including modified stock car racing, altering tabletop slot machines, attempting to set the world record for the most Diet Rite colas ever consumed, and memorizing every episode of Cops. In addition to these things, he had a cameo appearance on A&E's Storage Wars, ziplined while visiting Las Vegas on a family trip this past year, and had recently placed an order for a Hornet STOL airplane in which he planned to take Debbie to the clouds and back again.

Bobby loved his family and thought he had better kids and grandkids than anyone else's – even if his sons were always stealing his tools. He adored his wife and spent the last days of his life customizing a building for her business. They spent time together with grandkids and friends and enjoyed time with each other.

Bobby loved his family deeply and will be missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his mother, Aladeen Bowling Rosales; grandparents Clarence Vernon Bowling and Marion Mae Woods Bowling, and his father-in-law, James Roy Thompson. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Deborah Thompson Bowling; son Kevin and wife Amy and grandchildren Jacob, Amelia, and Aveline Bowling; son Rusty and wife Courtney and grandson Remy Bowling; son Matthew and wife Sara and grandson William Bowling. Survivors also include his sisters Linda Rosales Fuller and Suzanne Rosales Seraphin; his aunt and uncle Dick and Jean Bowling and three cousins; his in-laws, Laura Sue Thompson, Kathy and James Dudley, Jimmy Thompson, Laurie and Gary Blackerby, and David Thompson; and several nieces and nephews. Bobby's life will be honored at a Celebration of Life service at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at Treasure Church, 2586 Hwy 42, White Oak, Texas, partly because they will let lots of motorcycles park out front.