Bob was born March 2, 1921 in Minneapolis, MN to Francis and Dorothy Bacon.
During WWII Bob was a civilian instructor teaching pilots to fly troop-carrying gliders for the invasion missions in Europe. He later joined the US Navy and became a Sea Bee, constructing landing strips on the islands in the South Pacific. He was discharged on November 24, 1945. After the war he relocated to Texas and he married his first wife, Marjory Tapp. Together they had two children. Bob was employed by Phillips Petroleum for 38 years.
In 1967, he married Roberta Carolyn Purnell. He continued flying gliders in Odessa and also was an avid bridge player, earning more than 3600 points as a Life Master bridge player.
Bob and Roberta enjoyed traveling, and they took many side trips while he was working for Phillips Petroleum in Norway on the offshore rig Ekofisk, in the North Sea. They were also “Snow Birds” in the valley for many years and were faithful MOJO fans.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Francis and Dorothy Bacon, brother Frank Bacon, sisters Francis Fisher and Dorothy Newberry, and his wife Roberta.
Bob is survived by his son James R. Bacon and wife Barbara of Tyler, TX; daughters Beverly Cowan of Equador, and Barbara Purnell of Abilene,TX; 4 grandaughters, 4 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to First United Methodist Church of Odessa.
Funeral services will be at 3:00 PM, Saturday, July 14, 2018 at First United Methodist Church of Odessa with Pastor Jody Wallin officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Services are entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.
