Robert Caron

Long-time Garnett resident Robert "Bob" Morris Caron passed away at Anderson County Hospital early Sunday morning, March 16, 2008. Bob was born May 13, 1935 to Cyril Emet and Benita (Acuff) Caron in Dallas, Texas. He attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a Geology degree in 1957. While at OU, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Immediately after college he joined the Navy becoming a Lieutenant Commander piloting a P2-V submarine-hunter patrol airplane for 4 years. He married Susan Bland Simons April 19, 1958. Their marriage was blessed with four children. After his military career, Bob joined IBM and excelled through the marketing division of the company in many different capacities. His career took him to several states including Texas, Oklahoma, Maryland, Colorado, Iowa, Tennessee and Kansas. Bob retired from IBM in 1990. In July of 1995, Bob and Susan moved to Garnett to be with his mother until she passed away in 1998. Bob was actively involved in many community organizations including treasurer of the Anderson County Republican Party, member of the Garnett Airport Advisory Board, member of the Anderson County Planning Commission, member of the Garnett Country Club Board of Directors, was an ambassador and former president of the Garnett Area Chamber of Commerce. He was currently employed by the Garnett Police Department as a dispatch operator since 1998 receiving several commendations for his service to the community of Garnett during times of crisis, and was also a part-time realtor with C.D. Schulte agency. Bob was a longtime supporter and volunteer of many local activities including the Fourth of July celebration at North Lake in Garnett and the annual GACC Christmas Parade of which he and Susan were Grand Marshalls in 2001. Bob is survived by his wife of 50 years, of the home; three sons, Steve Caron and his wife Ginger of Dallas, TX; Doug Caron and wife Patti of Memphis, TN; Charley Caron of Garnett; and one daughter Beth Marczynski and husband Robert of Memphis, TN; a sister, Helen (Caron) Shields of Camarillo, CA; a brother-in-law, Charlie Simons and wife Patti of Evergreen, CO; a sister-in-law, Carol Currens of Austin, TX; seven grandchildren and two step-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews from Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and California. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Mary (Caron) Harris. Services will be held Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Boniface Church in Scipio with burial to be at Garnett Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett. Memorials can be made to the Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter in Ottawa and or the Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry in Garnett, and may be left in care of the funeral home.