Obituary for Bobby Weatherly, Sr.

Bobby Ray Weatherly, Sr.

November 22, 1935 – July 21, 2021

Bobby R. Weatherly, Sr., resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away in the home July 21, 2021. He was 85 years old. Bobby Weatherly was born on November 22, 1935 to Virgil Weatherly and Harvey Lee Weatherly (Gaither) in Carey, Tx. He was raised in Carey, Tx. Bobby Weatherly married his high school sweetheart, Doris Weatherly (Arrington), on April 7, 1954 in Texas. Following this union, they had three children; Cindy, Bobby Ray, Jr. (Ray) and Gary.

While he was in high school, Bobby played basketball and baseball. He was in FFA and showed Duroc pigs. After graduation, he worked for the DFW Railroad in Childress, TX. He then moved to Wichita, KS where he went to work for Boeing Aircraft for several years. Some years later, he moved to Centerville, IA and worked for a foundry and raced go-karts for Walt Morse, his boss. In 1965, he moved back to Wichita, KS and worked for Bill Lear and helped build the first Lear Jet that was flown. During this time, he worked part time for Fisher Transmission and learned to build transmissions. In May 1970, Bob and his family moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma where he opened and operated Bob’s Transmission for 50 years. His specialty was building racing transmissions.

Bob also owned and operated a small family farm. He raised around 150 head of cattle and farmed wheat for nearly 30 years. His hobby was racing cars at the drag strip. He traveled all over the United States to do so and he did it very well. He was an active member and deacon of Hartford Avenue Church of Christ. He enjoyed driving the youth to the Bible Bowl in Texas every year.

Bob was the ultimate patriarch. He was a man who worked hard his whole life to provide for his family. He loved any opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had a knack for witty comments and comebacks, a trait he most definitely passed on to everyone in the family. Bob was known by many for his generosity, work ethic, and selflessness.

Bob is survived by his wife, Doris Weatherly, his children Cindy Bell and husband Richard of El Paso, TX, Gary Weatherly of Stillwater, Ray Weatherly of Perry, and Tryniti Weatherly, a great granddaughter that he raised, of Ponca City. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren; Kristina Rivers and husband Rick of Waxhaw, NC Lindsey Standerfer and husband Josh of El Paso, TX Brooke Weatherly of Stillwater, Justin Weatherly and spouse Jamie McGuire of Ponca City, Clayton Weatherly and wife Kala of Morrison, Morgan Weatherly and spouse Taylor Ybarra of Ponca City, Garett and Dylan Weatherly of Gatesville, Texas Jared Bain of Newkirk and 20 great-grandchildren, and one nephew.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Harvey Lee Weatherly, brother Dean Weatherly and in-laws Emett and Broxie Arrington, as well as two nieces and one nephew.

Viewing will be Monday, July 26, 2021, from 4-8 pm at Trout Funeral Home & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview, Ponca City, Ok or Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home