Bobby Riner was born in Vidalia, GA on September 21, 1931. He lived most of his life in the town of his birth. He was the youngest of 10 children. He was an Army veteran stationed in Germany during the Korean War and worked as a lineman, foreman, and supervisor in the transmission construction department of Georgia Power Company before retiring after 34 years of service in 1989. He was an avid farmer, hunter, fisherman, and well-known as an old-fashioned syrup-maker, the latter being his favorite hobby for over 20 years after his retirement. He came to faith in the Lord as an older man in his 60s.
He married Betty Jean Conaway in 1958 and led his family including their 3 children (Marcia, Jonah, and Greg) until her death in 1995. He was married again to Peggy Thompson in 1996 until her death in 2014. It was at this change of life that his children became more involved in his care to assist him as his dementia progressed. He was first diagnosed with a form of senile dementia by a neurologist in 2011, which ultimately led him home on January 8, 2018. During his last four years, he never spent a night alone, and by God's grace, we were able to fulfill his wishes and care for him at his house until he left our world for the next one. We were blessed that he had few physical problems, was mobile (and able to walk until the week of his passing), and enjoyed his favorite foods too.
Some personal characteristics that made him special to those who knew and loved him:
- He had more strength than most men, taking 2 wives through the cancer journey, caring for both of them to the finish.
- Dementia took away many of his abilities, but never stole his ability to mouth the words of familiar old hymns when he heard others singing.
- He fought the temptation to age in bitterness and grew more tender, sweet, and affectionate with more maturity.
- The lack of fathers like him is clearly eroding our culture now. He never stopped sacrificing for his family. He enjoyed our accomplishments and successes. He grieved over our struggles and sorrows.
- He was a man of duty and responsibility. He never possessed the "look at me" attitude. He never needed recognition. He was quick to give that to others.
- His vocation made a difference in all of our lives and will continue for many years to come. Because of him and a few others like him, we have the modern economy and lifestyles that we do. These men did dangerous work and built most of the high voltage transmission lines in the latter part of the 1900s that power our state.
- He experienced the role of caregiver and overseer serving an older uncle in our mother's family. This uncle, a Purple Heart recipient of WWII, could no longer handle his own affairs after his wife was admitted to long-term nursing care. While Dad did not provide day-to-day care, he provided the help needed to allow our uncle to continue living at home during those years, so Dad understood the role himself.
January 17, 2018
Addendum:
More information and pics of his extended family can be found at:
Bobby Riner's Family
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