Funeral services will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Greenville. Following the funeral, graveside services will be held at the Merigold Cemetery in his hometown of Merigold under the direction of Boone-Wells Funeral Home.
Visitation will be on Friday from noon to 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Greenville.
Born April 24, 1942, to Robert Edsalle Gramling and Ruth Elizabeth Agner Gramling, Bob Gramling graduated in 1960 from Cleveland (MS) High School, and in 1964 from Ole Miss with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
He received his ROTC commission at Ole Miss and entered the United States Army on March 1, 1965, as a Second Lieutenant. Initially assigned to the Signal Corps, Bob was promoted and assigned to the Strategic Communications Command (STRATCOM) in Heidelberg, Germany, where he was the briefing officer for his commanding general. During his tour of service, he attained the rank of Captain, earning the Army's Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, before being honorably discharged in February of 1968.
Beginning in the summer of 1960, Bob Gramling worked for Entergy (then Mississippi Power & Light Company), first as an engineer, and later in management. He retired as Customer Service Manager of the Greenville District in May of 2007 after 43 years of exemplary service.
Bob Gramling was a Sigma Nu at Ole Miss. He was a Rotarian since 1978. He was Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scouts of America Troop 41 of Indianola where his service and commitment was recognized with the Boy Scouts' highest award, the Silver Beaver. He was a member of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee at the First United Methodist Church of Greenville. He was a member, director, chairman or president of near countless community service organizations and economic development programs. He was recognized and awarded numerous times through the years for his achievements and contributions. Even in retirement, Bob gave generously his time to develop, promote and protect the Greenville Cypress Preserve Trust. Bob Gramling truly loved this Mississippi Delta.
Born under the Sign of the Turkey, Bob lived to hunt. He was a member of the Merigold Hunting Club. By example, he taught his sons to respect the land, the game, the sport and the law. He was the gold standard in woodsmanship, marksmanship and sportsmanship. He was good with his shotguns but he was surgically precise and deadly with his rifles. It was to the Merigold Hunting Club on a rainy day in October of 1964 that he took his bride-to-be on their first date.
Bob Gramling was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was of impeccable character. He was a humble man of God. He was an example to all. He is missed more than any words can say.
Bob's survivors include: Jaye Woods Gramling of Satartia, his wife of 45 years; his sons, Rob (and Tamsyn) Gramling and grandson, Woods of Greenwood, Edgar (and Rebecca) Gramling and grandsons, Hunter and Hayden of Indianola and Wes Gramling and granddaughter, Chloe of Greenville.