Lt. Commander (Retired) Robert L. (Bob) Ivey peacefully departed this life on June 26, 2024, aged 80, surrounded by his loving and devoted family. Bob was born on September 16, 1943, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. The youngest of three siblings, Bob was preceded in death by his father, Luther Paul Ivey; mother, Etta Mae (Graves) Ivey; elder sister, Patricia L. Boyer; and elder brother, Donald Ray Ivey. Raised in Maysville, Oklahoma, Bob graduated from Maysville High School and East Central University. A proud veteran of the United States Navy, Bob attended Naval Officer Candidate School before serving with distinction as a submariner and then as a surface warfare officer on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-12). While on the Hornet, Bob participated in operations off the coast of Korea and Vietnam as well as the Apollo 11 Recovery Mission that retrieved the first astronauts to walk on the moon. Following retirement from active-duty service at the rank of Lt. Commander, Bob continued to faithfully serve his country as a reserve officer in the Selective Service.
After retirement from the Navy, for over two decades Bob worked at Mid Continent Pipe Line Co. in Maysville. He was an active force in the Maysville community as a member of the Kiwanis Club, serving multiple terms as President. Following retirement, Bob enjoyed OU Sooners football, classic Rock and Roll, weekends in Vegas, global travel, and spending time with his loving and devoted family.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bonita L. (Bonnie) Ivey (Casey); his daughter, Stephanie Adams and granddaughter, Brianna Goodman; daughter, Tara Bast, daughter, Suzanne Victoria and granddaughter, Violet Victoria; son, Michael Ivey and wife, Kanako; grandson, Jotaro Fujita Ivey; granddaughters, Erina Fujita Ivey and Anna Fujita Ivey; and great-granddaughter, Shaylee Goodman.
Memorial Services were held Sunday, July 7, 2024, at the Winans Funeral Home Chapel in Maysville, under the direction of John W. Williams. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at: www.winansfuneralhome.com.
