Major Robert Lee Love, Usaf, Retired

Private burial services were conducted for Major Robert Lee Love, 89, of Lufkin Friday, April 12, 2013 in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Major Love was born March 21, 1924 in Lufkin, Texas to the late Robert Lawrence Love and Mary Lue (Smith) Love, and he left this earth Thursday, April11, 2013 at his residence.

Major Love received his education in Lufkin, attending Kurth Ward Elementary School and Lufkin Senior High School where he played the drums in the High School Band. He graduated from Lufkin High School in 1942 and upon his graduation he enlisted as a Private in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He qualified as an aviation cadet and pursued pilot training through their program. He received his pilot wings and 2nd Lieutenant Commission in 1944. After extensive flight training he was assigned the duty of high altitude test pilot for bomber aircraft at NACA (currently NASA), Langley Air Base, Virginia. There he met and married Christine Gregory of Buckroe Beach, Virginia in 1945. Major Love also served in the Philippines, Japan, and the Arctic Air Base in Thule, Greenland.

Major Love was active in the Air Base Protestant Chapel, serving as Deacon, Superintendent of Sunday School and Lay Chaplain at various military bases. He was also active in Little League and youth baseball programs. His participation in these programs resulted in a three field baseball complex being named after him at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.

Major Love was a member of the Officer’s Christian Union during his military service. He was a Life Member of the Military Officers’ Association and the Ark/La/Tex Chapter of the Military Officers’ Association and American Legion (Texas), Post 113. Upon his retirement from the USAF in 1963, he was employed by the American National Red Cross. He served as Field Director at military installations, Red Cross Field Representative in Arkansas and as Disaster Representative for Southeastern and Midwestern areas from 1964 to 1978. In 1978, he was employed as Executive Director of the Angelina County Red Cross Chapter and served in that position until his retirement in 1989.

Major Love was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Christine Gregory Love; daughter, Bunnie Wiley; granddaughter, Barbara Lynn Love; brother and sister-in-law, Bill “Punk” Love and Carolyn Love; and first cousin, Captain Carl E. Alford, USAF.

He is survived by his son, Lance Love of Houston; daughter, Marilyn Love of Lufkin; son, Jim Love of Lufkin; son-in-law, Bill Wiley of Hampton, Virginia; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Daphne Beckham, Mark Love, Ben Love, Chris Love, Cindy Freeman, and Jennifer Holland; and first cousin, Jim “Bo” Lyles of Kingwood.

Honorary pallbearers are Friends and Chairmen, Board of Directors, and Red Cross Service Volunteers, Angelina County Red Cross Chapter for the period of 1978-1989.

Special thanks are extended to his caregiver Margie Gandy, and the staff of Affinity Hospice.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.