Bob and Marge celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on November 3, 2005. Bob, who was born in Rochester, NY., joined the Air Force and was stationed at Carswell Air Force Base in Ft. Worth.  Bob met Marge on his birthday, September 19, 1945, at a U.S.O. dance at the Servicemen’s Center where Penneys used to be in downtown Ft. Worth. This chance meeting brought together a young lady from Texas and a young man from New York.

After their marriage, Bob got out of the service and went back to Rochester. Marge, who was working for Gulf Oil in Ft. Worth, couldn’t join him for two weeks. She had never met his family and was a bit nervous as she traveled by train to his hometown. Bob and his mother, three sisters and a brother-in-law were all at the train station. When the train arrived, Bob ran to the steps to greet his bride, but alas he saw no Marge. His face fell. As he turned back to his family to give them the sad new, he heard a small voice say, “Bob?” Immediately his face lit up as Marge appeared. Their stay in Rochester only lasted two winters though because Marge discovered that the snowfalls were taller than she, so they returned to Ft. Worth in 1947.

In 1953 a daughter, Patty, was born, and a second daughter Mary Anne, came along in 1960. Patty works for American Airlines, Mary Anne is an EMT in the medical department at Tarrant County Jail. In 1981 Grandson Jimmy Woody was born – Bob worshiped the ground Jimmy walks on and the air he breathes. Dwayne Adams (Bob and Marge’s adopted grandson and son of Kurthis Adams) was truly a delight in Bob’s heart as well. September 17, 2004 was a special day when Bob attended Jimmy’s wedding to Angela – the whole family fell in love with Angela.

Both Bob and Marge retired from their jobs. Bob first worked at General Dynamics (Lockheed) and then for American Greetings Corporation. For over twenty-five years Marge did secretarial work for both W. A. Moncrief, Sr., and his son, W. A. Moncrief, Jr. She retired in April, 1994, and this enabled the Lopez’s to do more traveling. San Francisco is Bob’s favorite city, and other travels have been to Canada, Alaska, London, Hawaii, the New England area, Wyoming and Montana.

When not on the road, they are quite active in church. Although Marge was raised Baptist and Bob Roman Catholic, a friend led them to Trinity Lutheran Church where they received instructions. They became familiar with Grace as members of Tree of Life Mission congregation. When this congregation dissolved, Bob and Marge became members of Grace. Bob served on the church council and for many years Bob has been the leader of the Leisure Group at Grace – playing “42” and always looked forward to the first and third Tuesdays of each month to be with his friends – 7 of whom are his Honorary Pallbearers.

Bob was always coming up with a joke, and continued to do so with the nurses while in the hospital.

Although it was against his health rules, Bob very occasionally had a jelly donut. Once while leaving the donut shop, he fell flat on his face. Marge though sure he had had a heart attack, bent down, kissed him and said “I love you”. However, he was just temporarily knocked out and later Marge joked: “Well, I thought if he had died, I knew he was happy because he just had his jelly donut!”

Patty and Mary Anne have so many special memories of their father. One week before her father passed away, Patty told him he was the best Daddy anyone could ever have. He told her that knowing that made everything worth it. Patty also reminded him about the ghost stories he used to tell her before she went to sleep when she was a kid, and they laughed together about that. The characters and events he made up as he went along were great fun, and she remembers them all. The fun and adventurous shared times at the cabin in Colorado, which Bob helped build, are too numerous to name. Patty says: “I love you Daddy”.

During the last week in the hospital Mary Anne held her Dad’s hand, told him how much she loved him and that he was the best Dad in the world. He squeezed her hand, smiled and told her how much he loved her. Mary Anne has so many fond memories of her Dad, and she cherishes them deep in her heart. Mary Anne says: “I love you Daddy”.

Jimmy says there are so many memories he has of “Andaddy” as he called him. It always seemed like there was nothing he couldn’t do, and do with a smile. Jimmy says: “I will miss you Andad and cherish your memories forever”.

Marge says they were always pretty much on the same key making decisions, so life was quite tranquil at their home for 60 plus years together. She says they trusted and loved each other, and their daughters, grandson, ex-son-in-law Kurtis Adams and his son Dwayne Adams - their grandson, too. Bob and Marge always said “I love you” before drifting off to sleep, and their advice to newlyweds is never go to sleep angry at your spouse, and hold no grudges.