Robert Steed

Robert L. (Bob) Steed, age 89, of Cleburne, died November 18, 2014. A memorial service is planned for Tuesday, November 25, 1:00pm at United Presbyterian Church, 1510 Westhill Drive in Cleburne.

Bob was a proud third-generation Cleburnite, born August 13, 1925. Bob knew his wife Mary her whole life. He remembers the day that an announcement was made in church that Mrs. George had just had twin girls, Mary and Alice. As a teenager, Bob picked up all the members of the church youth group for their events but soon starting dropping Mary off last. Bob and Mary were married June 7th, 1951.

Bob happily served customers at Zimmerman’s Auto Parts from 1943 until 1977. Bob always enjoyed being able to find just the right part for his customers, down to the part number (which he never forgot.) He purchased and operated Gillis Auto Parts from 1977 until 1989.

When Bob and Mary retired, they visited family, played with their grandchildren, and traveled widely with sister-in-law and brother-in-law Alice and Jack.

Bob was a deacon, then an elder at First Presbyterian Church and United Presbyterian church for nearly 60 years. As a dedicated church member, he helped out wherever needed, memorably changing the light bulbs in the sanctuary by putting a plywood platform across church pews, strapping two ladders together with rope, climbing to the top and using an extension pole to reach the fixtures. He and Mary were founding members of Fifty-Five Plus, and Bob met every week with the Tuesday Morning Men’s Bible Study. With Mary, he delivered Meals on Wheels for more than twenty years.

Bob was resourceful and inventive, and with enough time he could find materials and fix anything. As a boy, he and a couple of friends built a working 10’ high Ferris wheel with four seats. It was one of many, many projects. He made swings and doll houses from apple crates for his children and multiple treehouses for his grandchildren. Animals had an affinity for Bob. As a boy, he tamed a squirrel and later befriended neighborhood cats that followed him around the yard as he gardened and fixed things in his shop. He was patient and kind, a hard worker, and an avid traveler—his interest having been sparked by taking trips on the Santa Fe train with his dad. He was very observant and paid close attention to detail. He loved music and plays, the opera, Fort Worth Symphony, and the United Presbyterian Church choir. Dessert was his favorite food group, especially German chocolate cake.

Bob’s family includes his wife of 63 years, Mary, his three children, Laurie Mealy and husband Jack of Sherman; Louis Steed and wife Teresa of Cleburne; Lisa Turner and husband Eric of Oklahoma City; and grandchildren, Kathryn Turner and husband Paul Rabek of St. Paul, Minnesota; Alyssa Steed of Dallas; Jackson Turner of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Helen Mealy, Virginia Mealy (deceased), and Margaret Mealy of Sherman. He is also survived by six brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and too-many-to-count nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to United Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Children’s Services in Itasca, Meals on Wheels, or a charity of your choice.

Service

Memorial Service
United Presbyterian Church
Cleburne, TX 76033
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
1:00 P.M.

Memorial Contributions

United Presbyterian Church
1510 Westhill Drive
Cleburne, TX 76033

Presbyterian Children's Services
156 PR 443
Itasca, TX 76055

Meals on Wheels
106 E. Kilpatrick
Cleburne, TX 76031