Bobby Ethridge
October 11, 1948 ~ July 13, 2012
Born in:
Atlanta
Resided in:
Loganville, GA
Willard Robert Bobby Ethridge, age 63, of Lawrenceville, Georgia passed away on July 13, 2012. Bobby was co-captain of the Bass High Football Team in Little Five Points, GA. He served his country from May '67 to March '69 as an Airborne Ranger with a tour in Vietnam as a Squad Leader, Long Range Recon Patrol LRRP, 4th Calvary, 25h Infantry Division. He had many achievements, while in the Rangers including graduation from NCO candidate school's Combat Leaders course in 1967; graduation from MACV Recondo School in 1968 in Nha Trang, Vietnam; being awarded a Purple Heart in July of 1968 and the Silver Star for valor in action in January 1969. Bobby joined the Dekalb County Police Department in October of 1969. While with Dekalb County, Bobby continued to obtain information and knowledge to better help him serve his community and his country. Some of these accomplishments include attending Georgia Police Academy in January 1970; an Associate of Arts degree from Dekalb College in June 1978; graduating from FBI National Academy in 1980; going to Woodrow Wilson College of Law in 1983; graduating from Georgia State University in June of 1988 with a Masters in Science degree with a 4.0 GPA. Bobby was instrumental in obtaining a $19, 000 grant for Georgia State University from the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health because of his research on probable causes for robberies in convenience stores. He was appointed to Academy Director in November of 1988 and nominated Police Officer of the year in 1998 by the North Decatur Lions Club. Bobby retired in 1999 as Tucker precinct as a Commander in DeKalb County.
Bobby is survived by his wife, Jean; 3 children, 4 grandchildren, his step mother; brother and numerous other family and friends.
Inurnment will be at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, GA on Wednesday July 18, 2012 at 2 o'clock. The procession will leave the funeral home at 12 o'clock on Wednesday going to the cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday July 17, 2012 from 2-4 o'clock until 6-8 o'clock at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville, 770-277-4550. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wagesandsons.com.
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Rest in peace my brother. I will cherish the many memories of our times together personally and professionally.
Gayle and I send our prayers to Jean and all of the family. May God wrap you in his warm embrace.
Bobby you fought the good fight, and I recall with much fondness you being a mentor for me during years on the DKPD Task Force watch in 1981-1983. RIP, and we’ll see you on the other side!
Rest in Peace Bobby . As a Ranger Brother , we know that you fought as hard as was possible . You now have the rest that you so richly deserve . We were grateful that all your Ranger Brothers got to see you one last time in Nashville . You will be missed . Thanks to Jean for taking such good care of Bobby .
Bobby, it was a pleasure knowing you. You did a fine job at DKPD and especially at the academy. God bless you, Jean and your family. See you someday on the open road.
May God bless Bobby and the 75th Rangers.
A fine teammate and well respected by his fellow Rangers for his service to his country in Viet Nam and later back home. Proud to have known him. Blessings to his family.
I know Bobby was not feeling well at our Ranger reunion last year in Columbus, Ga. or at our F Company reunion this year in Nashville. His being there with us took courage for both him & Jean. God Bless You Jean for your devotion to Bobby. I’m glad for the chance to get to know him a little better.
The courage you have shown, Bobby, this past year is Ranger courage. You are in a better place now. You lead the way for the rest of us. Rangers Lead the Way!
Bobby will truly be missed,he and I shared some great times together. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend his funeral.
Jean, I,m going to miss Bobby and you at the Ranger get together in Columbus. Bobby was a brother with the Rangers in Viet Nam. It seem just like yesterday during one of those reunions probably 2003 when Bobby rode his bike in one hell of a rain storm to Sky Dive in Alabama. Love you Bobby.
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved Bobby.
It was good to see Bobby at the recent F Company & 3/4 Cav reunion where he got to meet and shake the hand of a Pilot who pulled him from a “tight spot” in Vietnam. May he rest in peace and his family be comforted in knowing that when his country called, Bobby stepped forward. See you at the Rally Point.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU IN YOUR TIME OF LOSS.
WE WERE PROUD TO CALL BOBBIE OUR FRIEND. HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND WILL BE MISSED.
REST IN PEACE, BOBBIE
It has been many years since I had the pleasure of seeing Bobby. I will always remember our days in school together, at Bass. I know he will be sadly missed by his friends and family. Blessings on all of you.
Love, Susan Eberhardt McKoy
You will be in our hearts, forever, brother. We will arrive Tues to help you meet up with our other brothers.
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I hope you will find peace in your pain. Always be reminded of the beautiful times in your lives together and that one day you will meet again.!!!!
Bobby was a wonderful friend from high school. My sincerest condolences go out to his family. Rest in Peace my friend.
Many fond memories working with Bobby at DKPD in the 80’s….he was a kind and caring man. God has another Angel patrolling the streets of Heaven now. Knowing Bobby is pain free now is comforting…..RIP Bobby!! You are loved by many and we will miss you…..save us a place in Heaven my friend!
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I met Bobby when I was a rookie police officer in 1976. He was always supportive and compassionate about his work.
Our deepest sympathy to Jean and family. I was proud to serve our country with Bobby in Vietnam and enjoyed talking with him at the Ranger Reunions. God bless Bobby and God Bless Jean and her family.
Aloha Jean,
We are thinking of you and sending big hugs your way from Hawaii, admiring your inner strength. Please be good to your self now, and thank you for all you’ve done for Bobby these past years.
Love,
Pineapple & Mona
Friends are pillars on your porch. Sometimes they hold you up, sometimes they lean on you, and Sometimes it’s just enough to know that they are standing by you.
Bobby I am saddened to hear of your passing, but I will always remember working with you at Center Precinct.
Rest in peace.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and our fallen brother. Too young to serve and too young to depart. God Bless.
Craig
Co F, 75th Inf. 11/69 – 12/70
I knew Bobby well from Bass High. He was much loved by everyone. He served his country in war & peace and was a truly a good man. I’ll miss him at Bass reunions. Rest in peace, Bobby!
We have lost another “Ranger” brother. Bobby was respected, admired and held in high regard by those who served and fought along side him. Thank you for your service. Rest in peace; you earned it. Until our next patrol.
Wishing you eternal rest, Bobby. May Our Lord protect and comfort your family. Thank you for your kindness to me while we were at Bass all those years ago.
Jean,
My heart goes out to you and your family. I know that Bobby is resting in our Saviors Arms. He touched many lives while he was here on this earth. I know that you will miss him. I pray that the good times and precious moments will help you get through these tough days ahead.
Jean,
I am so sad to hear of Bobby’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you an your family.
Jean – God bless you for your great support of Bobby thru his tough times.I know your pain and wish you well as you recover from taking care of such a wonderful person.
Bobby – Our class picnics and reunions for 1966 will not be the same without you. You will be greatly remembered for your high school friendships, kindness, service to your country at a hard time in history and dedication to everything you did. We are sad to see you go, but knowing that you are smiling down on us without pain gives us joy. Just remember how much we love you.
Dear Jean and other family and friends. I met Bobby in 2002 at Stone Mountain H-D when I got back into riding after a 30 year stand down. What we found more in common was in the past: military. We never served together but in the same AO at different times. Look forward to riding with him again one day.
“Howeird”, C/2/12Inf/25ID Nam 69-70
Blue Knights GA-I
Jean, My prayers are with you and your family at this sad time in your life. I did not know Bobby well, but I knew he had to be a wonderful man, because you married him. God be with you and your family.
Jean, My thoughts and prayers are with you. May all the great memories bring comfort to your heart & soul forever more.
Bobby, you were a good friend and I enjoyed working with you. I still remember the good times we had. See you on the other side.
Buddy King
Sautee, Ga
Jean – It has been a long time since we all walked the halls of Bass, or cheered our team on at a game…but those days will always stay in my memory. You and Bobby are a part of those memories, and I was so sorry to read this news. Clearly, he will be missed by many. Sending my deepest sympathy to you and all his friends and family.
Fondly, Debbie
Goodbye to a great Lawman! I have so many wonderful memories of working with Bobby, LO and lots of many other DKPD law enforcement officers and Brother Narcs back in the day…..God Bless Bobby’s family at home and his family at DKPD…..Wally & Pooh Brooks and sons
Jean, we have met at a Ranger reunion. I do know how you feel at this time. I just lost my friend, lover,an husband, Thomas Pease June 28th. I will pray for you and except my condolences please.
Farewell old friend. I’ve Known you longer than anyone, and I cherish those old memories more than words can express. You lived an incredible life and fought a courageous battle all the way to the end. You really are a hero and one of the unforgettable ones. Jean, you are a treasure. My condolences to you and the family. May God bless you at this time. Thanks for taking care of my old pal. RIP Bobby
RIP Bobby. You will be missed.
Bobby, may you rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. God Bless you.
Jean,
May your memories give you strength.
Know that we love and care about you.
Always,
It has been a privelage to have had Bobby as a friend over the past ten years…riding our bikes and playing cards,I just wanted to say he will be terribly missed! and Jean if there is any thing I can do for you, please do not hesitate to call! RIP Bobby
So long ago at Bass High – 1966. Seems like yesterday. Fun times. Thanks for your service and great memories. Rest in peace my friend.
jean my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family..known bobby since bass high days when he hung around with my brother cecil, so sorry he had to go through so much over the last years. god bless and comfort you and the family ..betty hodge propes
Sorry I didn’t know you better while at DKPD. My thoughts are with you and I pray for you and your family.
Dear Bobby’s family,
Bobby and I attended Bass High School together for 1961-1963. Although I was older than he, we were good friends. We played in the school band together, and we lived close by so I gave him rides to various school activities.
I saw his obituary by accident just a few days ago and was so shocked and saddened that his life was cut short. I read what he wrote in my 1963 Bass High year book and such sweet memories came floating back. Bobby was a great kid, polite, smart, talented, handsome, a lot of fun, and very kind. It is no surprise that he lived such an exemplary life.
At this difficult time, I send my sincere condolences to each of you. Please know that my thoughts and prayers go with you, and Bobby will always be remembered with love.
God’s Peace,
Dianne J. Rogers
Mary Dianne Jordan in 1963