Robert James "Bob" Loar, affectionately known to his family as “Bobby” and to many as "Cowboy Bob," peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior after a short courageous battle with Stage IV colorectal cancer. He was born on June 20, 1952, in Cumberland, Maryland, to Bernard Lindburgh Loar and Lora May (Sturtz) Loar.

Bob was raised in Allegany County, Maryland, where he attended local schools before proudly serving his country in the United States Army Reserve. A Vietnam-era veteran, he served honorably for six years as a Private First Class and earned the distinction of Rifle Expert, an accomplishment he carried with quiet pride throughout his life. Military honors will be rendered in recognition of his faithful service to our nation.

On February 21, 1975, Bob married the love of his life, Gaynell "Gail" (Soto) Loar. Together they built a beautiful life centered on faith, family, and serving others. Their marriage spanned nearly fifty-one years until Gail's passing on February 9, 2026. Their love story was one of unwavering commitment. For more than forty years, Bob faithfully cared for Gail, putting her needs before his own and demonstrating every day what unconditional love truly looks like.

Together they welcomed their daughter, Angel, on June 6, 1977, in Cumberland, Maryland. Bob also lovingly embraced Gail's children, Ralph Leonard and Linda Marshall, as his own, never making a distinction between "step" and family.

Although his roots were in Maryland, Bob moved to Florida in the early 1980s, where many of his greatest adventures began. Alongside Gail and Angel, he co-founded the SonCoast Chapter of Cowboys For Christ in Spring Hill, Florida, in the early 1990s. Decades later, the ministry continues to thrive, a lasting legacy of Bob's heart for sharing the Gospel and the redeeming love of Jesus Christ.

Bob's love of horses began after enrolling Angel in riding lessons. What started as a father's encouragement quickly became a lifelong passion. Before long, the family owned a farm filled with horses and countless farm animals, and "Cowboy Bob" became a name known throughout the local horse community.

Whether caring for the animals, working in the barn, or competing alongside Angel at horse shows and rodeos, those years became some of the happiest memories of his life.

In 2004, Bob and Gail relocated to Chapel Hill, Tennessee, to be near Angel and her family. Later they embraced the RV lifestyle, spending their time between Tennessee and Panacea, Florida, where daughter Linda owns an RV park. Bob loved the open road, but no destination ever meant more than simply being wherever his family was.

Professionally, Bob retired as Vice President of the Card Services Division for Equifax, formerly TeleCredit Services. He was respected not only for his leadership but for the genuine care he showed those who worked alongside him. Many considered him not just a supervisor, but a mentor, trusted friend, and beloved coworker.

Bob and Gail also shared an entrepreneurial spirit. Together they founded and operated Silk N Such Floral Design in Maryland before expanding to Georgia and later Tampa, Florida. They also owned and operated Buds and Blossoms Florist in Spring Hill, Florida, building businesses that reflected their creativity, hard work, and commitment to serving others.

Bob never met a stranger. He had a quiet strength that made people feel comfortable, and if someone needed help, he rarely waited to be asked. He loved making people laugh, possessed a stubborn streak that usually worked in everyone else's favor, and firmly believed he was "God's Favorite"—a phrase that never failed to bring a smile to those who knew him. He could fix almost anything with duct tape and a little elbow grease, believed Comet and bleach could clean just about anything worth cleaning, enjoyed watching Westerns, and found perfect contentment sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee and his faithful dog by his side.

Bob was the kind of man who never sought recognition. If something needed to be fixed, he fixed it. If someone needed help, he showed up.

He found joy in simple things—a barn full of horses, a home-cooked meal, time on the road with Gail, and evenings spent surrounded by family. His grandchildren were the light of his life, and nothing made him prouder than watching them grow. Above everything else, Bob loved Jesus Christ. His faith wasn't something he simply believed—it was the foundation upon which he built his entire life. He openly shared his testimony of redemption, encouraged others to trust God in every circumstance, and lived with an unwavering confidence in God's goodness. His life reflected integrity, hard work, perseverance, humility, a servant's heart, and an unshakable commitment to doing what was right, even when it wasn't easy.

Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gaynell "Gail" Loar; his parents, Bernard Lindburgh and Lora May Loar; his brother, Bernard "Bernie" Loar; and his sister, Linda (Loar) Case.

He is survived by his daughter, Angel Kennedy (Kristian) of Chapel Hill, Tennessee; Ralph Leonard (Barbara) of Homosassa, Florida; daughter Linda Marshall of Panacea, Florida; brother William "Billy" Loar of Vallejo, California; sister Lora "Lorie" Bokschoten and husband Tim of Great Cacapon, West Virginia; grandchildren, Faith Kennedy and Jaeden Kennedy of Chapel Hill, Tennessee, who were the absolute pride and joy of his life; granddaughter Tabatha McLain (Christopher) of Indiana; grandsons Jason Seeders and Mike Seeders of Tallahassee, Florida; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, extended family members, treasured friends, and countless brothers and sisters in Christ.

Graveside services for Robert Loar will be held at Simpson Cemetery in Rover, TN on Wednesday, July 8th,

2026, at 12:00 p.m., with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. prior to the service.

Bob will receive military honors and will be laid to rest beside his beloved Gail at Simpson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Bob's honor to Melody Manor Ranch, the family's 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry. Donations may be made by visiting Melody Manor Ranch and clicking the Donate button. For nearly fifty-one years Bob faithfully walked beside Gail, caring for her with a love that never wavered.

Losing her left a place in his heart that could never be filled here on earth. While those who loved him grieve his absence, there is comfort in imagining the moment when his faith became sight and he was welcomed home—not only by his Savior, whom he loved so deeply, but by the wife he had missed every single day since she went before him. Their earthly journey may have ended months apart, but eternity reunited what love had joined together.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23

Services in care of Lawrence Funeral Home 203 S. Horton Pkwy Chapel Hill, TN. 37034. 931-364-2233 www.lawrencefuneral.net