Robert "Bob" Waldon Rorie

Robert Waldon Rorie, 79 years of age born 4/26/1941 in Newnata, Arkansas, was called home by our Lord 8/30/2020 in his current resident city of Lexington, NC. He had a hemorrhagic stroke and later died of complications. He was the son of Walter Alden Rorie and Hazel Madge Sheppard Rorie Shelley.

Robert's family moved to California when he was seven and he graduated from Napa High School. He attended Napa Jr. College. He joined the Navy in 1960 where he served four years and received an honorable discharge. In the Navy, he attended electronics school and was a crew member involved in electronic countermeasures. He was part of the squadron with FAIRECONRON ONE VQ-1based out of Atsugi, Japan. He flew missions over enemy territory gathering information to help protect us. He was also a leader of the Flying Rifles drill team in Millington, Tennessee and Whidbey Island, Washington. His close Navy friends were Pilot Capt. Ted Cunningham, Radio/Plane Captain Hiram Cram, Crew Leader Dr. Paul Bennett and Navigator “By” Wiley.

After he returned from the military, he worked for Varian Aerograph in California. He transferred to Houston, Texas and was instrumental in opening an office there and in Charlotte, NC. While in Charlotte, he met his beloved wife of 50 years, Charlotte Elizabeth Reece Rorie. They were married in 1969.They moved to Athens, GA, where he was employed with the University of Georgia. He obtained a degree in business while working full time and graduated in 1975. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans Organization at the college. They had two children and then moved to Raleigh followed by Hickory, NC. He became an employee of Hickory Springs Mfg. Co. where he worked for 25 years becoming a member of their Quarter Century Club.

Robert was involved in school organizations and was a softball coach. He was a member of The American Legion Post 48 in Hickory and later Post 8 in Lexington, NC. He and his wife attended annual reunions for the VQ-1 Squadron regularly. “Mr Wonderful,” as he was well known, was an adored son, husband, father, and uncle. He had an irresistible smile and was an avid Georgia Bull Dog fan. He enjoyed traveling, golf, chess and loved people.

Robert is preceded in death by his father Walter Alden Rorie and step father William Shelley. He is survived by his wife Charlotte Rorie; daughter Resa (Johnny) Ferrell of Clayton, NC; son Brandon (Carrie) Rorie of Thomasville, NC; grandchildren: Leah, Ayden, Emma, Eva and Evan Luke Ferrell; Daniel, Brandon Ticer and Anna Rorie; mother Madge Shelley and sister Anita Archer of Rose Bud, Arkasas; sister Mildred (Don) Denton of Noble, OK.; brothers-in-Law Leonard Reece of Valdese, NC, and Larry (Betty) Reece of Drexel, NC; sisters-in-Law Phyllis (Wayne) Ross of Valdese, NC and Bonnie Turnbull of Hickory, NC; many treasured nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at Davidson Funeral Home, 301 N. Main St, Lexington, NC 27292, on 9/13/2020 with visitation at 1:00 pm and service at 2:00 pm. The service will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/davidson.funeralhome

In lieu of flowers we ask you give contributions to your local Social Services foster children's fund or a children's group home.

Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net