Robert (Bobby) Lee Malek Sr., beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away on February 11, 2021. “Bobby” was born in in Port Arthur, Texas February 2, 1937 to parents Dominick (Doc) Malek and Camile Melancon Malek. Bobby grew up in Houston and graduated from Milby High School in 1956. He joined the military after high school and served in the US Army. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Bobby followed in the footsteps of his father, Uncle Joe and Uncle Frank; and joined the Houston Fire Department in 1963. Bobby served as a Houston Fire Fighter for nearly 30 years and worked at Stations 23, 22, 36 and 81’s staying close to the Park Place neighborhood he grew up and lived in.
Soon after joining the Houston Fire Department, Bobby met the love of his life, Nancy McGee. The two were wed in April of 1965. They ended up buying a house just down the street from the house that Bobby and his two siblings, Ronnie and Nola grew up in. It was in this house that Bobby and Nancy raised their two sons, Robert Jr and Philip. When he wasn’t working, Bobby enjoyed spending time with his family. He was active in Indian Guides, Cub Scouts, coaching little league baseball, attending swim meets with his sons, and helping out with the youth group at church. If there was a weekend that was open in between these other activities, Bobby would load up the family and the camping gear and head out of town. His love for camping took him and his family to many of Texas’ popular parks and camp grounds, as well as camp grounds in other states. These camping trips in his “beloved” pickup truck and camper were legendary within the family. He loved being outdoors and eventually bought a place in Centerville Texas where he built his own personal weekend retreat. He chose Centerville because this is where his father took him deer hunting when he was younger.
Upon retirement, Bobby spent time going to “the country” and enjoying his weekend retreat in Centerville. He enjoyed feeding his catfish in the pond, watching the deer run around and trying to keep the wild hogs and deer out of the garden that he and Nancy had planted. He looked forward to entertaining his three grandchildren out in the country where he would teach them how to cook on an open fire, how to fish, shoot a rifle and stay up late watching old VHS movies and eat popcorn.
Bobby was a long-time active member of Servants of Christ Methodist Church in Park Place. Bobby spent time volunteering his time in different capacities such as usher, Sunday school teacher and board trustee.
He always looked forward to attending the Malek Family reunions, seeing his cousins and dancing the polka. He also enjoyed collecting clocks and knives. When it came to dinning out, Italian food and Vietnamese food were two of his favorites, but he was always ready for a big bowl of Won Ton Soup.
Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Nancy; son Robert Jr., his wife Mitzi, and daughters Margaux and Marixi Mae; son Philip, his wife Zabeth and son Dominic. He is also survived by his brother in San Antonio: Ronald Curtiss Malek, his wife Miriam and daughters Marianne and Camille; and sister Nola Bedingfield, her husband Mike and son Bart.
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