Robert "Bob" Marshall Voyles, 81, of Vero Beach, FL passed away Thursday, January 15, 2009 in Vero Beach. Mr. Voyles was born December 19, 1927 to Coach Carl Marvin and Gertrude Hall Voyles in Champaign, IL, moving to Vero Beach from Auburn, AL in 1949. After spending his early years in Williamsburg, VA and Durham, NC he attended Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA. In 1949 he graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and the API Tigers football team.
After moving to Vero Beach he partnered with his father in tomato farming followed by selling Studebakers as owners of Royal Palm Motors. In the mid 1950s he operated Voyles Sporting Goods before taking a position with the Wilson Sporting Goods Company. In the late 1950s he opened the Sherwin-Williams Paint Store in Vero Beach, which he later moved to its current location on Miracle Mile, growing it from a paint store to a home decorating center. In the early 1970s he served as the first Customer Service Representative for the City of Vero Beach and worked for a short time with his close friend at Sturgis Lumber Company in Vero Beach. In 1972 he became Sales Manager for Graves Brothers Citrus Co. of Wabasso, retiring from there as General Manger in 1993. In retirement he continued work as an assistant to his close friend Rip Graves.
His love of football led him to play semi-pro football for the Vero Beach Blue Streaks from 1949-50. He went on to serve several years as a high school football official for the Sun Coast Conference, coach midget football, and serve as a volunteer sports announcer for radio station WTTB.
Bob was an active member of the Vero Beach community. He served on the Parks Planning and Zoning Commission from 1966-67 and was a long-time member of the Indian River County Historical Society and Vero Heritage, Inc. As a member and past president of the Vero Beach Jaycees Bob assisted in the clearing and construction of Jaycee Park and spent many Christmas seasons visiting local schools and organizations as Santa Claus. He was a past president and oldest active charter member of the Exchange Club of Vero Beach. He was the recipient of the Exchange Club Exchangite award in 1967 and was chairman of clubs first annual Christmas tree sale fund raiser. Active in scouting, he served as a local cub scout master and a member of the Gulf Stream Council, helping to develop the Boy Scouts of America Camp Ocklawaha in Sebastian. He was also a member of the Vero Beach Masonic Lodge # 250 and a 50 Year current member of the Grand Lodge.
Bob was a member of the First United Methodist Church since 1952, serving as usher and on the advisory board. He and his wife were among the first members of the AWARE Sunday school class for young married couples.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Coach Carl M. and Gertrude H. Voyles and infant grandson, Kevin Owens Voyles. He is survived by his wife of over fifty-eight years, Judy Owens Voyles, daughters: Pamela Camille Mingus (Danny) of Andrews, NC, Patricia Hall Smith (Gene) of Buzzards Bay, MA; sons: Robert Marshall Voyles, Jr. (Patti) of Vero Beach, FL, Keith Faulkner Voyles (Kris) of Brooksville, FL, Quentin Owens Voyles (Gail) of Vero Beach, FL and Marvin Dale Voyles (Tracy) of Allen, TX; brother, Dr. Carl Marvin Voyles, Jr. (Joan) of Anna Maria, FL; step-mother: Mrs. Carl. M. Voyles of Mount Laurel, NJ; eleven grandchildren: Kristy Lynn Beane, Robert Marshall Voyles, III, George Carl Voyles, Angela Camille Voyles, Leeanna Camille Mingus, Kahla Gail Voyles, David Eric Voyles, Keith Faulkner Voyles, Jr., Kyle Kristopher Voyles, Caitlyn Talbert Voyles, Matthew Dale Voyles,; one great grandchild: Tallulah Grace Beane; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services: The family will receive friends 4-7 PM, Friday, January 23, 2009 at the Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach. A service celebrating his life will begin at 10 AM, Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Vero Beach with Dr. Charles Lever officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1750 20th St, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or the Exchange Club CASTLE, 1275 Old Dixie Hwy, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, Florida. Condolences may be sent through www.seawinds fh.com/obit.php