Robert L Bearden

August 20, 1922 - August 18, 2017

Our beloved husband/father/grandfather/great-grandfather went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, Aug. 18th. Born 95 years ago in Tulsa, OK, to Silas P. and Valeria Rathjen Bearden. Bob tragically lost his mother at the age of 7, and his family life afterward was wrought with strife and Depression-era poverty. The family moved around a lot, resulting in Bob attending numerous elementary schools from California to Texas; finally settling in Dallas where he continued grade school. In 1937, he enrolled in Adamson High School. He was very agile, and ran the mile for Adamson's 1939 Regional Track Championship. He also held his own as a Golden Gloves boxer. In July 1940, Bob joined F Company, 144th Infantry, 36th Infantry Division, Texas National Guard, and was called into federal service in November of that year. He left Adamson for Camp Bowie, TX, thus ending his high school career prior to graduation. He joined the US Army paratroops in Sept. 1942, and after completing jump school at Fort Benning, GA, he was assigned to H Company, 507th Parachute Infantry. Bob parachuted into Normandy, France as part of the D-Day invasion, June 6th, 1944. He was wounded twice and captured with his Regimental Commander on D +4. He spent the next 8 months as a POW, spending time as a 'guest' of the German army until he was liberated by Allied forces from Stalag III-C (east of Berlin) on Jan. 31, 1945. In 2010, over 65 years later, Bob was honored in a ceremony hosted by Major General William Grimsley at III Corps Headquarters, Ft. Hood, Texas, commending Bob with 13 medals in recognition of his military service, including his bronze star, purple heart, and well-earned Combat Infantry Badge. Details of his military experiences are recorded in his book, "To D-Day and Back," published in 2007.

After his military discharge in 1945, Bob enrolled in The University of Texas at Austin (without a high school diploma!) He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, a cheerleader for four years, and was recognized as an Outstanding Student in 1949 before graduating with a degree in Business.

In 1951, Bob married Doris J. Lybrand, and together they raised five children while running three businesses in five states (Bearden Army Stores, Bearden Personal Services and Commercial Printing Co.) In 1968, Bob started Christian Farms, a Christ-centered drug/alcohol rehabilitation program for men in Bell County, and a few years later, he started Treehouse, a similar program for women in Temple. He served as director for both programs for the next 25 years. In recognition of his accomplishments with these programs, President Ronald Reagan awarded him the President's Child Safety Partnership Award in 1987. In 1973, Bob and his sons opened Yamaha of Killeen, Inc; presently known as Texas Motor Sports, a franchised motorcycle dealership now in its 45th year of operation.

Bob is a dedicated member of LifeWay Fellowship Church, continuing a lifelong journey with his Lord and Savior. He is predeceased by his parents, Silas and Valeria, step-mother Lou, and his only sister, Mary.

Mr. Bearden is survived by his wife of 26 years, Debbie, five children and their spouses, Perk (Debbie), Brenda (Jody), David (Christy), Tim (Karen), Terry (Carole), and stepson Greg. He is also blessed with 14 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, his namesake and nephew, Robert Andrew Carter, and numerous other nephews, nieces and lifelong friends.

Visitation will be Tuesday, 5-8 pm, at Crawford/Bowers Funeral Home, 1615 S Fort Hood Rd, Killeen. The funeral will be hosted by Lifeway Fellowship, 4001 E Elms Rd, Killeen, on Wednesday at 11:00 am, with burial to follow at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 TX-195, Killeen. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Christian Farms-Treehouse or Acacia Ministries, both of Temple, TX.