Bobby D. LaGrone died July 2, 2015 at Olive Branch Senior Care Center in Tallulah, La. He was 82.

Born in Deadwood, Texas, on Feb. 24, 1933 was the son of the late Emmett Mitchell LaGrone and Madie Fuller LaGrone. He was a graduate of Carthage High School in Carthage, Texas and Panola Junior College in Carthage, Texas. He graduated from Centenary College in Shreveport, La. in 1954 with a B.S. in chemistry. He accepted a teaching fellowship in chemistry at the University of Texas while he worked on his master’s degree.

Bobby met Janis Plunkett at Centenary College and they married in Shreveport on March 12, 1955 and moved to Natchez, where Bobby worked at Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company as Chief Chemist. He then became Technical Director at Thermatomic Carbon Company in Monroe, La., in 1961. In 1968, Bobby accepted a position at U.S. Rubber Reclaiming Co. in Vicksburg as Technical Director.

He worked at U.S. Rubber for 30 years becoming President of the company in 1978. He received his MBA degree from Mississippi College in 1976. He was a charter member of the American Chemical Society and President of the Southern Rubber Group for many years retiring in 1997. He and his wife moved to Clinton in 2002 to be close to their grandchildren.

Bobby was active in the Methodist church all his life serving on many boards at Hawkins United Methodist Church in Vicksburg. At First UMC in Clinton, he enjoyed singing in the Senior Adult Choir. Bobby was as avid sports fan but his lifelong hobby was hunting. He belonged to several hunting clubs and always enjoyed the outdoors.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Doris Marsalis and Mary Fortner; and a brother, Clenton LaGrone.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Janis Plunkett LaGrone; Sons: John D. “Don” LaGrone (Gail) of Vicksburg and Barry K. LaGrone (Tammy) of Clinton; grandchildren: Amy and Bryan Lagrone of Clinton and Leslie Snodgrass (David) of Clinton. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Gail Guynes of Beaumont, Texas and by many special nieces and nephews and their children.

The family requests that memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 100 Mount Salus Road, Clinton, MS 39056 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mississippi Chapter, 196 Charmant Drive, Suite 4, Ridgeland, MS 39157.

Services will be moon Tuesday, July 7, 2015, at Riles Funeral Home with Rev. Mitchell Hedgepeth, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Brandon officiating. Visitation will be from 10 am until the service. Interment will be 3 pm Wednesday, July 8, 2015, in the Deadwood Cemetery in Deadwood, Texas.