FUNERAL SERVICES AND MEMORIALS
Robert (Bob) H. Lury
Robert (Bob) H. Lury—a loving and devoted husband and father, a mentor to many, and a friend to all—died at peace with God and the world, on September 27, 2020 at his home in Bastrop, Texas, in the arms of Jesus and his loving wife, Carolyn. He was 85.
He was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico on November 28, 1934 to Robert Ritchie and Ramona Romero Lury, in the hills above Santa Fe, before running water and electric utilities were available. He married Marie Trujillo and over the next 12 years had six beautiful children, Richard, Frankie, Franci,
Robert, Linda, and Patti. He lost his son Frankie when he was six months old.
About the age of 19, he worked at Southwestern Skyways as an aircraft mechanic. He joined the US Army Reserves and served for 6 years with the 713th Tank Battalion as a wheel and track mechanic. At age 24, he went to work for the Los Alamos Fire Department. Being a firefighter was one of the great loves of his life. Three years later, he began working for The Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico as a Prototype Machinist. Over the next 30 years he worked on numerous projects. He worked on the original Mars Rover Project and made special parts for the French Supersonic Transport delta winged airplane. He built and installed cameras and related equipment in the U.S. KC-135 planes which were used for chasing solar and lunar eclipses and other “special missions” out of Kirtland Air Force Base. He helped with the design and building of mortar sensing equipment for the troops in Vietnam and he built some very precise parts for the National Bureau of Standards in Colorado.
Music was always a big part of his culture and he started playing the guitar when he was nine years old. He continued playing with various groups in Santa Fe and around northern New Mexico. Unfortunately, the nightlife associated with the music and the increased drinking led to a divorce in 1969. He realized he needed to make changes in his life. He gave up the music, quit smoking, and drinking all at the same time. With the help of God and the AA program, for which he was always grateful, he had been sober since March 23, 1969. He remained sober until the last day of his life which he knew was one of the greatest gifts he could give his family. Even though Bob never met a stranger, he was a humble man and didn’t know how much his life changes would help, and continue to help, people of all ages and stations in life who benefited from his straight forward wisdom.
Bob and Carolyn met in the early 1970’s at an open AA meeting. They went on to enjoy traveling, camping, fishing, boating, and water skiing. In 1980, they married and united their two families. Carolyn’s children Kim, Tammy, and James completed the family of 8 children.
He retired in 1990 and started a new career as a carpenter building Santa Fe style furniture. He enjoyed the peace of his workshop and took great pleasure in everything he made. He always began and completed every project with a prayer of thanks to God.
He will be remembered for his powerful trust in God, his love for all people and his “I can fix it!” talent. The beautiful furniture he made are works of art, and his wild, crazy, interesting, and entertaining life stories (which were mostly all true) will always be remembered.
His legacy will be remembered and kept alive by his devoted wife, Carolyn (Burchfield) Lury; children, Richard (Rich) Lury, Frances (Franci) Lury-Ortega , Robert (Bob) Lury, Linda Lury-Montano, Patricia (Patti) Lury, Kimberly (Kim) Upton, Tamberly (Tammy) Martinez, and James Lury; 23 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren; his brother, Charles Lury; sister-in-law Linda Lury and brother-in-law, Larry D. Magnus.
He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Ramona Lury; his son, Frank (Frankie) Lury; his granddaughter, Kara Lury and sister, Catherine McQuire.
The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to his very special nurse and friend, for the last three years, Brenda Sanders, RN; Dr. Robert Dougherty and Dr. Michael Wagner; Resolutions Hospice and Pastor Cindy Layton.
A Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 10th, at Bastrop Providence Funeral Home, 2079 Hwy 71 E. In lieu of flowers, please consider a tribute donation to New Hope Respite at Smithville or United Methodist Church in Smithville.