Born to Lawrence and Berta Lay on October 1, 1922, in Enid, Oklahoma, Bob was the only son with four sisters in a rural farming family and always shouldered his share of the work and then some. Bob graduated from Britton High School in 1939, joining the Army in July 1940. When World War II began, he volunteered to become a pilot for the Army Air Corp. Taking instrument training with the actor Jimmy Stewart at Moffet Field in San Francisco during May of 1942 was just the beginning of seeing the world outside of rural Okla. His many flying duties included 'Flying the Hump' between Burma and China across the Himalayas and later ferrying troops and supplies into France on D-Day. Bob was the recipient of many medals, including 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses. In between these experiences, Bob returned home briefly in 1943 to marry Marjorie Ann Kiphart, his high school sweetheart from Britton. Marjorie labored during the war years building the very C-47 aircraft at Douglas Aircraft (now Tinker Field) that her husband was flying. After returning home at war's end, Bob began his family of three sons and a long career in the Alarm Industry. He was awarded the distinction of an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Oklahoma Alarm Assoc. upon his retirement. Bob will be remembered by many for his tireless work, calmness, dependability, and generosity to others. A resident of Choctaw for almost 50 years, he was helpful in the community in his usual behind the-scenes way. He particularly enjoyed the times when he sang in the choir at the Methodist Church.
Born to Lawrence and Berta Lay on October 1, 1922, in Enid, Oklahoma, Bob was the only son with four sisters in a rural farming family and always shouldered his share of the work and then some. Bob graduated from Britton High School in 1939, joining the Army in July 1940. When World War II began, he volunteered to become a pilot for the Army Air Corp. Taking instrument training with the actor Jimmy Stewart at Moffet Field in San Francisco during May of 1942 was just the beginning of seeing the world outside of rural Okla. His many flying duties included 'Flying the Hump' between Burma and China across the Himalayas and later ferrying troops and supplies into France on D-Day. Bob was the recipient of many medals, including 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses. In between these experiences, Bob returned home briefly in 1943 to marry Marjorie Ann Kiphart, his high school sweetheart from Britton. Marjorie labored during the war years building the very C-47 aircraft at Douglas Aircraft (now Tinker Field) that her husband was flying. After returning home at war's end, Bob began his family of three sons and a long career in the Alarm Industry. He was awarded the distinction of an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Oklahoma Alarm Assoc. upon his retirement. Bob will be remembered by many for his tireless work, calmness, dependability, and generosity to others. A resident of Choctaw for almost 50 years, he was helpful in the community in his usual behind the-scenes way. He particularly enjoyed the times when he sang in the choir at the Methodist Church.
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