Robert Paul Southard

Robert (Bob, Doc) P. G. Southard went to live with his Savior Jesus Christ on April 12th, 2011. He was born to Robert P. & Jean O. Southard on December 30th, 1941. He married his sweetheart, who he met in 6th grade, Anne Nicole “Nicki” (Demmer) Southard on June 14th, 1962. She passed away four months before him, on November 18th, 2010 in Oklahoma City, OK.

Bob graduated from Saint John’s Military Academy, Delafield, WI, in 1959 and from Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH, in 1976 with a degree in Comprehensive Sciences. He touched many lives as a school teacher and coach for the Norman school system in Norman, OK and as a mechanic at Sears Automotive, his own shops, Southard & Son Automotive, Dr. B’s Automotive, and then when he was able, the various race tracks he frequented.

Bob loved many people, but none more than his family, his wife Nicki, his daughter, Babette and his son Spain. They were the apple of his eye and could do no wrong in his eyes! They were truly his pride and joy. His son-in-law David Seals and daughter-in-law Christine Southard meant the world to him. Bob always knew they were helping to raise stellar children and that the grandkids were “well taken care of” by these two! That gave him great peace. Those two reached out to Bob in ways we will never know! He always adored them as one of his own children and he loved them deeply and dearly. He was so proud of his grandchildren and watched them grow and kept up with their activities even if it was from his bedside. Bob was not a wealthy man by society’s standards, but he was truly rich in his eyes by the love he had because he had the love of his family and friends. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even the one on the way were the ones he cared and loved so deeply, he checked on them daily to make sure they were ok and that they knew that grandpa loved them! With the many family and friends that cared about and loved him deeply, and the love of his family, he was quite wealthy, one could honestly say, his cup runneth over!

His passion was building race motors, he could build them all! From 4 to 8 cylinders it did not matter, when he finished, they sounded like “one of Docs”. Towards the end he helped to get an Outdoorsman’s ministry started at Discover Church by supplying the Sportsman’s Bible to each person when they attended. He loved Jesus and it was his way to reach out to as many people as he could, even if it was from his bedside.

He was preceded by his wife Ann Nicole “Nicki” Southard, his parents, Robert P. Southard and Jean O. LeFevre, his mother and father-in-law Florence (Goss) Demmer & Darwin L. Demmer, Sister Lois Snelson. Bob is survived by Daughter Babette (Southard) Seals and her husband David Seals of Ardmore, OK; Son Spain Southard and his wife Christine Southard of Noble, OK; Grandchildren, Brianna (Seals) Stuckey and her husband Brian Stuckey of Wilson, OK, David K. Seals Jr., United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, Madolynne J. Seals of Ardmore, OK, Brent Southard of Norman, OK, Troy Southard of Noble, OK, and Elizabeth Southard of Noble, OK; Great Grandchildren Ryan and Kyle Stuckey of Wilson, OK; Brother -in-law Lynn Snelson of Warren, OH; Sister-in-law Marcia Russ and her husband John Russ of Huron, OH; 4 nieces and 1 nephew of Ohio & Minnesota & great nieces & nephews. Also, Bob “Doc” is survived by many friends that we call family, there are too many to mention, however, you know who you are. .

A Celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Discover Church in Noble Oklahoma on April 23rd, 2011 at 11:00 am with a reception following. There is an online condolence-guest book the family would love for you to sign at www.primrosefuneralservice.com . In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Discover Church of Noble, or your favorite local Food shelter.