ROBERT DeFORD

1934 - October 22, 2021

Bob grew up in Bakersfield, attending local schools. He was close to his grandfather, 'Pop' and uncle, Lon, who along with his younger brother, Danny, went on many memorable hunting and fishing trips along the mighty Kern and properties of family members. On arriving home from these expeditions, they all enjoyed the phenomenal meals of Grandma White in the house we all loved that 'Poppy' built in Bodfish, CA. Once, while enjoying a day along the Kern with friends, the teenage Bob rescued two sisters, who had become trapped by the torrents of the river. Besides being a strong swimmer, (we all grew up swimming at Union Avenue Plunge, the Kern River, and the Pacific Ocean), he was exceptionally muscular from working his teenage years at the Piute Packing Company hoisting full carcasses all day long. He was the whole package with his movie star good looks and muscular frame.

On returning home from a two year stint in the Army, where he had been stationed in Germany, Bob met his first love, Clara. After working as a butcher here in Bakersfield for several years, Bob, Clara, and their young son, Stuart went on to live in various places throughout California, eventually settling in Visalia.

Many years later, after he and Clara had parted ways, Bob was blessed with finding love again when he met and married his second wife, Betty. With this marriage, he was blessed with the love and friendship of Betty's three adult children, Steve, Danny, and Debbie.

Bob and Betty enjoyed their time together living the mountain life in Tehachapi, CA and Bob's second career as a correctional officer at the California State Correctional Facility. Bob enjoyed his career there so immensely, that he hated to retire, and only wished he had had more years in that profession.

Always close to his large immediate and extended families, he missed his brother and sister-in-law, John and Dolly App of Glennville, CA; parents-in-law (Kutas); parents (DeFord); brother, Danny; and wives, Clara and Betty, all who predeceased him.

Left to cherish the good times and his memory, are son, Stuart (fiancée, Linda); stepchildren, Debbie, Steve, and Danny (Carol); sisters JoAnn, Carolyn (Jack); Linda (Ernie); and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Services will be Thursday, November 17, at 2:00 o'clock at the Bakersfield National Cemetery located at 30338 East Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin, CA.