Robert G. Headrick

Robert G."Bob" Headrick, 84, of Punta Gorda passed away Sunday, May 19, 2013 after an inspirational battle. He was the son of Guernie and Lula Headrick, born May 21, 1928 in Carter County, Tennessee. At age 12 the family moved to Tampa and being the oldest of four children he spent many of his young years helping to provide for the family. In his early adult years he learned the fire equipment business traveling the State of Florida to sell and train police and fire departments on the use of the equipment. In time he started his own company with his wife Beth, specializing in engineered fire protection systems, eventually selling the company making plans to retire, but soon when back to work. He and Beth spent the next 19 years as co-managers of self storage facilities, first in Tampa, then Leesburg and finally to Punta Gorda, retiring from Quality Self Storage in 2009. Over the years, Bob was a member of the National Fire Protection Association, American Society of Safety Engineers, served as secretary of FOPA in Tampa, Commodore of Old Tampa Bay Boating Association, served on the Florida State Fire Board for four years and was a volunteer at the Tampa Children's Home for several years. In his spare time he spent time boating and fishing before going on to motor home travel, but his real love was family and God. He helped start Rocky Creek Baptist Church, Tampa and was ordained a Deacon before going to Westgate Baptist Church, Tampa and served as a Deacon there. Since 1997 he served as a Deacon and served on many committees for Eastside Baptist Church. He loved his family, his Church, Pastor Mike and all the church family. Bob will be greatly missed by his wife of 37 years, Beth(Snell); children, Geneva (Ray) Fisher, Linda (Paul) Ketchum both of Land O'Lakes, Patricia (Roger) Mercer of Crestview, Robert Jr. (Michelle) Headrick and their mother, Blanche Headrick all of Tampa; sister, Lula "Pete" Christenson; brother, Jack Headrick; sister-in-law, Marjorie Toohy; step-sons, Victor Long of Lecanto, Vince (Leann) Long of Houston, TX; foster daughter, Patricia (John) Beaudry; Paw Paw will be missed by his grandchildren, Jonathan (Judi) Fisher, Nathanael (Anna) Fisher, Matthew (Melanie) Mercer, Richard Mercer, Kristeena (Henry) Roberson, Mack Headrick; step-grandchildren, Tanya (Steve) Story, Shane Ketchum, Dustin, Bill and Ronald Long and Jason Allen; great-grandchildren, Aaron, Shauna, Taylor, Kierstin, Bella, Mia, Zoe, Madison, Kaylee, Krystal, Kayla, Dale and Rebekah. He was preceded in death by his brother, Earl (Edwina) Headrick; sister, Christine (Calvin) Lunsford and brother-in-law, Charlie Toohy. A celebration of life will be at 1:00 pm, Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Eastside Baptist Church, 6220 Golf Course Blvd., Punta Gorda with Pastor Mike Mowry officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Eastside Baptist Church, 6220 Golf Course Boulevard, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. To express condolences to the family, please sign the online guest book.