Obituary for Robert J. “Bob” Flowers

Robert J. “Bob” Flowers, age 77 of Forest, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Bob was born on June 24, 1947, to the late Dale E. Flowers and late Jo Anne (Loach) Lear. He married Paula J. (Watkins) on September 23, 1973, and she preceded him in death on March 6, 2014. Bob married Hannah (Holm) Derr on June 25, 2016, and she survives. He is also survived by his daughter, April (Oliver) Heldman and grandchildren, Alyssa and Brady Heldman; stepdaughters Samantha (Logan) Nichols, Annie (Theron) Gammon; step-grandchildren Kaiden, Lyla, Paisley and Asher Gammon and Robert Gayheart; brother Mike (Jennifer) Flowers; sister Dawn Flowers; niece Kelsey; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Melissa Flowers, a sister, Connie Flowers, a stepfather, Bob Lear, and a stepmother, Darla Flowers.

Bob was a proud 1965 graduate of Kenton High School. Bob worked at Rockwell International for 30 years, retiring in 1995 as a double journeyman. After Bob retired from Rockwell, he owned and operated DataBit Solutions for nearly 20 years. Bob then “retired” a second time in 2017 when he sold DataBit and created IT Bob Technologies, LLC, where he continued to serve the computer needs for several local business clients. 

Bob was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed both hunting and fishing, but fishing was his passion. Bob’s love for his family was rivaled only by his second greatest love – fishing. Bob was a long-time member of Trophy Bassmasters, where he met some of his greatest friends. He enjoyed countless hours in his prized Ranger boat pursuing the next big catch so he could share stories about the one that got away. Bob loved fishing on Lake Erie and never missed a spring fishing trip with his fishing buddies to Alabama or South Carolina. He was a lifetime member of the Ohio Bass Federation, serving for many years as their webmaster and organizing and running many state bass fishing tournaments.

Bob was also a long-time member of both the Hardin County Mounted Posse and the Saddle Club, where he served as president for many years. As a member of Latham Lodge #154, Bob was a Master Mason and a Past Worshipful Master. He was a member of the Zenobia Shrine Temple, the Hardin County Shrine Club and the Kenton Commandry. He served as president of the Masonic Temple Association for many years, and he played in the Masonic Pool League for many years.

Bob was an avid OSU fan, and he was thrilled he got to see his Buckeye football team win the 2024 National Championship. Everyone is welcome to wear their OSU gear in support of his beloved team.

He was a member of the Walnut Grove Methodist Church in Kenton.

Bob was a wonderful man who was loved and respected by many. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. 

A funeral service for Bob will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, February 7, 2025, at the Price-McElroy Funeral Home in Kenton with Rev. Vincent Pontius officiating. Burial at Wolfcreek Cemetery will be held at a later date. Friends and family may visit from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the funeral home. A Masonic Service of Sorrow will be held following the visitation at 7:00. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Kenton City Schools Excellence for Education Foundation with “KHS Class of ’65 Scholarship Fund” in the memo line (22267 SR 309, Kenton, OH, 43326) or to the Lodge General Fund, c/o Latham Lodge #154 (PO Box 373, Kenton, OH, 43326).Online condolences may be expressed at pricefh.net