Lt. Col. Robert W Bawcum, US Air Force, retired

Lt. Col. Robert W. Bawcum, US Air Force Retired, passed away peacefully during his sleep at his home in Ocean Springs. Bob was born in Sugar Tree, TN where he grew up farming near the Tennessee River. He entered the Air Force through the Cadet Corps. During the 21 years he faithfully served his country, he was a navigator, worked in the Atlas F Missile Program, and was a pilot of numerous aircraft, including the C-130 and DC-9. Bob served in the Vietnam Conflict. His love of aviation allowed him to continue to fly as a commercial airline pilot. Bob had been a resident of the Gulf Coast for the past 23 years. He faithfully served his Creator and Redeemer and was a member of First Baptist Church in Biloxi and the Victory Sunday School class. Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Maggie Bawcum; brothers, Charlie, John, Connie, Gray and Jack; sisters, Bertha Mae and Opal. He is survived by his wife, Alice Bradley Bawcum; daughter, Mary Alice (Doug) Fowler; son, Bobby (Nancy) Bawcum; sister, Frances (Berthal) Haggard; brothers, Hersell Bawcum, Henry (Lattie) Bawcum, Dean (Johnnie Ruth) Bawcum; grandchildren, Robert III, Bradley, Zoe, Ali, Emily and Timothy. Funeral Services will be Friday, January 22, 2010 at 1:30 pm at First Baptist Church of Biloxi. Friends may visit from 12:00 pm until service time. A committal service will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to a charity of one's choice. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Ave., Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.