Obituary: Robert Carroll Youngblood

He graduated from Ocoee High School and immediately began working as a stockman for S.H. Kress & Co. Shortly after he met his first wife, May Francis Roach Bates (deceased 1959), he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served three years in the Korean Conflict.

Upon his Honorable discharge he rejoined S.H. Kress & Co. He married Helen Large Hartwell in 1961 (deceased in 1985), when he was the assistant manager at the West Palm Beach store. He was promoted to manager and was transferred to Lawton, Oklahoma. During his 40 years with the company he was transferred many times — mostly to failing stores because Bob had the ability to turn a profit. He won many awards for top sales and best cost margins. He managed stores in several different states as well as many stores in Florida. One of his favorite expressions was, “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again!” 

When he retired from S.H. Kress & Co., he returned to Ocoee to care for his mother, Lucille Rebecca Slone Youngblood until she passed in 1995.

He is survived by, daughter, Crystal, and husband, Raphael Kolbjornsen; son, Robert, and wife, Ann Watts Youngblood; daughter, Dawn, and husband, Ray Altman; daughter, Sharon Bates Easter; son, Wade, and wife, Margie Bates; brother, Lewis E., and wife, Dottie Youngblood; sister, Agnes, and husband, Eddie Foote; sister-n-law, Gloria Youngblood (brother Bill C. Youngblood passed earlier this year);  and 12 grandchildren.

Bob enjoyed fishing, golfing, dancing and being a grandfather.

Please visit his memorial wall, acommunityfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Robert-Youngblood-3.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org.