Robert Lynn Radford

Robert (Bob) Radford was born in Ridgecrest, CA, in February of 1954. His family moved to Texas where he graduated from Groesbeck High School. Bob went into mission work serving his Lord full time in several countries, including Guatemala and Honduras, spreading the gospel from 1972 to 1973. Bob and Diana married in December of 1974 after a long courtship, and a few years later welcomed their sons Robert Radford Jr. (Robby) in November of 1978 and Stephen in January of 1981.

The family moved to Texarkana when the boys were young where Bob worked at the papermill in Domino, Texas for many years. Bob was an entrepreneur from the word go, with an engineering mind and the talent to build and fix anything imaginable, as well as a few things you would never imagine. He left the papermill to run his own business American Welding and Fabrication. Within a few years, he had outgrown his location and he and Diana purchased Texas Machine Shop on Phenie Street in Texarkana. Bob ran Texas Machine Shop for more than 30 years, providing a great need to his neighbors and community. With a heart of gold, should someone not be able to pay, Bob loved to barter for services, coming home with forms of payment such as tools, eggs, vegetables and at one time a bag full of pecans. He never let someone walk out without helping them in one fashion or another.

Through the years Bob has served on nine different boards, including Macedonia-Eylau water board, Liberty Eylau School Board, Liberty Eylau Fire department, and others.

Bob and Diana have attended 1st Assembly of God Lighthouse for over a decade where they are active members with their children and grandchildren. Bob loved his family fiercely. His wife and boys and their families were his entire world. The hard work and long days he put into his work was all for them. He was up before the sun and did not stop until long after dark, even up until death. It didn’t matter how bad his health was he never quit and could out work any healthier man on any day.

We know Bob has entered the gates of Heaven running, standing tall in the Throne Room of the Lord; he has cast his crown at the feet of Jesus and is patiently waiting on the rest of us to join him some day.

Bob is preceded in death by his mother, Karlene Hazel Radford Fore and her spouse Chuck Wehner. His father Jim Radford Sr. and a brother Chuck Jr. His mother and father-in-law, Joanne and Dave Thomas.

Bob is survived by his loving spouse of 47 years, the reason he breathed, Diana Radford; Their two sons, Robby and his wife Erin along with their four daughters, Maddie, McKenzie, Hannah and Emma. His son Stephen Radford and his wife Jessie and their daughter Baylee. Bob has four brothers and their spouses, James and Ann Radford, John and Cindy Radford, Joseph and Fabi Schmidt and Don Radford and one sister and her spouse, Karen and Floy Lewis along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom he loved and cherished as well.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 12, 2024 at First Assembly of God, Texarkana, Texas with Rev. Josh Lee officiating. Burial will follow at Chapelwood Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends Thursday night from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., April 11, 2024 at East Funeral Home-Moores Lane.

Online tributes may be submitted to www.eastfuneralhomes.com