Funeral services for SFC (Retired) Robert L. "Bob" DeForest will be held at the Trinity Assembly of God Church located at 202 SE 45th Street, Lawton, OK 73501 on Thursday, December 29th at 10:30am.

Burial with full military honors will follow at the Fort Sill Post Cemetery under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home. (Funeral attendees will follow in procession to the cemetery without having to stop for the standard ID check.)

Viewing will be held at the funeral home from December 26th to 28th. The family will be present at the funeral home on Wednesday, December 28th from 6:00pm-8:00pm.

Sergeant First Class (U.S. Army Retired) Robert L. "Bob" DeForest of Lawton passed away peacefully of natural causes on Dec. 23rd, 2016 at the age of 81.

Bob was born on Dec 14th 1935 in Detroit, MI. Bob fathered 9 children with his beautiful wife, Betty S. DeForest of 60 years.  Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1954 to honor two of his brothers who were killed in the Korean War. A specialist in supply-chain management, Bob retired in 1975 after having served in: Korea; Germany; Fort Huachuca, AZ; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Carson, CO; Fort Chaffee, AR; Fort Bragg, NC; and Fort Sill, OK.  His military awards that he earned included the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal with 5th award.

Following his military career, Bob worked for the Lawton Public School system from 1981 until 2001. He worked as a maintenance expert and could fix anything.

An avid golfer, Bob was heavily involved with sports and coached many baseball and softball teams.  He also biked and competed in the "Hotter than Hell" race in Wichita Falls, TX.  He averaged 225 in bowling all over the world.

Perhaps more than anything, Bob was a true philanthropist and is best remembered for his ministry through song and his never-ending concern for the needs of those around him. His favorite songs included "It's Beginning to Rain" and "The Old Man is Dead." He never met a stranger.  His favorite expression was "Hey, brother!"

He is predeceased by his sons Johnny Lee and Philip Craig. He is survived by his wife Betty and 7 children, Pam, Robin, Kirk, Tony, Mark, Dennis and Chris. Bob was blessed with 19 grand children and 14 great grand children.