Robert D. Vencill

Vencill, Robert D.

Age 95, passed away Friday, April 6, 2018.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mary Lou Vencill; brother, John E. (Jack) Vencill.

Robert is survived by sons, William Lee (Lisa Phipps) Vencill, Thomas R. (Carol Elaine) Vencill of Albuquerque, NM; daughter, Ruth Elaine (Leon) Cordeiro of Dillsboro, IN.

Robert, also known to many as Bob or Don, was born in Mina, South Dakota on April 14th 1922 to John and Pearl Vencill.  His brother Jack was born seven years later.  His parents farmed near Mina until about 1930 when they moved to Lebanon, Ohio to be near other family.  Robert and his brother Jack grew up there on the family farm and in 1942 Robert joined the Army with the Southern Signal Corps as a Radar Repairman.

Robert always enjoyed being in the outdoors. He spent his younger days fishing and camping. In his 20s he traveled in a van across the country with his buddy Charlie Jinks.  They would stop and work for a couple of weeks or a month on farms or in factories and then after they had made some money would move on to the next stop.  They worked their way through Texas and made it all the way to California seeing the country and meeting many interesting people along the way.  Robert also spent one or two seasons in Minnesota trapping furs during this time and learned the machinist trade. 

In 1952 he met and married our mother Mary Louise Daly.  They lived in Ohio for a couple years in a trailer and then moved to Michigan where all their children were born.  They had three children William, Ruth Elaine, and Thomas.  They lived in Richmond, Michigan outside of Detroit and Robert worked as a machinist to support the auto industry.  In 1972 they moved to a farm of 135 acres in southern Ohio outside of a small town, Peebles.  They farmed crops including wheat, corn and tobacco and also raised beef cattle.  In the evenings, Robert drove to Hillsboro to work as a machinist. 

In 1982, at 60 years old, Robert was left his job at the machine shop and decided to sell the farm and move to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  The family of Robert, Mary Lou, William and Thomas arrived in July of 1982 and Robert soon found work at the General Electric Aircraft Engines plant in Albuquerque as a tool and die maker.  He retired when he was in his 70s and was able to spend his days and evenings at home with his wife, Mary Lou.  In 2006, Mary Lou passed away and it was a great loss to him.  He missed her dearly the rest of his life.  He still lived independently in his own house until 2016 when he went into assisted living arrangements and spent two good years pain free and in good health with many people around him.

Robert was loving man and hard worker his whole life. He was a dedicated husband and provider for his children.  He had a gentle spirit and engaging sense of humor and he always loved a good story or joke.  His favorite music was old bluegrass and he liked to play guitar, fiddle and harmonica when he was younger.  He loved fishing throughout his life and was an avid fly fisherman and was able to make many trips when he lived in New Mexico with his friend Jerry Davis and could often be found researching and tying up the next best fly.  Robert will be missed, he came from a special generation and there are not many like him around today.  Rest in peace Robert Vencill.

Visitation will be held at 1:30 PM with service to follow at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 - at Sara Road Chapel, 4310 Sara Road, Rio Rancho, NM. To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE

Rio Rancho, NM 87124

505-892-9920