Obituary of Robert Earl Atwood

Robert “Bob” Earl Atwood beloved husband, dad, brother, grandfather, veteran, pastor, and friend passed away surrounded by his wife and family on January 11th, 2024.

Bob was born in Marmaduke, Arkansas on October 29th, 1932, to Moses Lee Atwood and Vuler Jane (Swink) Atwood. The third of eight siblings, Bob graduated from Green County High School where he met Doris Virginia Spry. Bob and Doris married in Marion, Arkansas in 1952 and were devoted to each other for over 71 years. They raised their children in numerous countries and states as he served in the Air Force and then pastored churches.

Bob was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served his country honorably for 23 years. After retiring from the United States Air Force, Bob surrendered his life to the ministry and started to pastor full time in 1975 and continued for 38 years until his retirement. Sharing Christ with others was his calling in life. He supported foreign missions so that the Gospel could be preached around the world and was able to go to the Philippines several times to help start churches. He was also able to work with the Southern Baptist missionaries in Vietnam where he was there during the war. Bob enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii, but his greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family and his many friends. He loved visiting others and sharing the Gospel.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, three brothers, and grandson.

Bob is survived by his wife, Doris Virginia (Spry) Atwood, son Don Atwood, and wife Kathy of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, son James Atwood and wife Paula of Owasso, Oklahoma, son Mark and wife Melanie of Owasso, Oklahoma, daughter Darla (Atwood) Menzies and husband Ken of Fort Worth, Texas, his twin brother Raymond Atwood and wife Wanda of Jonesboro, Arkansas. He is survived by 13 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.