Robert Jesse Lunday Jr.

He was born on March 25, 1939, in Frederick, Oklahoma, to Robert Lunday, Sr. and Masie Lea (Huddleston) Lunday, the oldest of their four children.

Bob grew up in Mineral Wells, Texas. After playing football for, then graduating from, Mineral Wells High School, he headed to Texas Tech University. He left college to join the Air Force, where he was stationed at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, CA. It was here he discovered his lifelong passion for airplanes, earning his private pilot's license, which he held for most of his life.

He met the love of his life, Barbara Ann Zajic, in a memorable encounter, yelling between convertibles on the highway between Sacramento and San Francisco. They were married in 1963, and later added a daughter, Susan, and a son, Robert, completing their family after moving to San Jose, CA.

After leaving the Air Force, Bob worked in Electronic Warfare for several years before longing for a new challenge. He purchased a small, independent telephone company in Eastern Colorado from Barbara's uncle, growing it over the years into a successful business, eventually becoming a pioneer in the cellular telephone industry. In those years, he built the family’s home, helped to found a church and lovingly participated in the raising of his family.

Following his retirement, Bob and Barbara moved to Washington to be closer to their children and especially their grandchildren. This move allowed Bob to fulfill a lifelong dream of living on an airport, and the family cherishes happy memories of his life on the airstrip. Retirement brought wonderful opportunities for traveling, enjoying family adventures, and truly living his pilot dreams. He was a devoted grandfather to four grandchildren who adored him, as well as a recent proud great-grandfather.

A bit of a thrill seeker, Bob loved to ski, water ski, cliff dive, flip off the diving board, and ride roller coasters. He took his young family camping most weekends in the summer. He built monkey swings, swimming pools, zip lines, and forts, creating joyful memories for his family and friends.

Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara; his daughter Susan (Paul) McBride; his grandchildren Emily (David) Kyle, Seth (Allison) McBride, Anneliese McBride and her fiancé Aidan Fisk, and Grace McBride; one great-granddaughter, Emerysn; his sister Mary Lynn (Glynn) Lindsey; his brother Mike (Sharon) Lunday; in-laws Betty, Dwayne, and Don Zajic; and many, many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his son Robert; his brother Stan and sister-in-law Linda.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 5th at 1 PM at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue, WA. Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate Bob's life. Light refreshments will be served following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Convoy of Hope (convoyofhope.org) or The Alzheimer's Foundation (alz.org).

Bob will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, deep love for his family, remarkable contributions to his community, quiet strength, solid Christian faith, and zest for life. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.