Bob W. Brawley, 81, of Cordell, OK, was born September 16, 1934 to Georgia and Robert Brawley. After graduating from Cordell High School in May 1952 at the age of 16 years, 8 months, he rode with his two buddies to Oklahoma City with a suitcase holding all of his belongings. Within two days he was hired by Central National Bank as a bookkeeper. Bob was given a ledger of checking accounts with the expectation of posting all checks and deposits to customer accounts, balancing the transactions to the penny! Although his work hours were 6:00am to 4:00pm, he always had his work posted and balanced by 10:00am.
In 1955, Bob accepted the position of Cashier at First National Bank of Midwest City. Four years later, at age 25, he led the installation of the first computer at a bank in the state of Oklahoma. After laying eyes on a young lady, Bob enlisted his friends at Central National Bank in assisting him obtain her name and phone number. The two dated for six weeks and Bob married the love of his life, Freda Ann McAlister, January 15, 1956. They celebrated their love with the birth of their four children over the following nine years. The couple thoroughly enjoyed being husband and wife, father and mother, Papa/Grandpa and Gaga/DaDa until Fredas death November 4, 1989.
In 1968, after the death of his father, Bob accepted the position of Cashier with Farmers National Bank. He moved his family back to his hometown of Cordell to be close to his mother. His major contributions were rebuilding the bank and introducing "TNT" (Time & Temperature) to Cordell. After his mother passed in 1975, Bob was pursued by a newly formed bank charter, Rolling Hills State Bank, which was in the planning stages to be built in Piedmont, OK. He was eager to accept his new role as President and CEO of this new state charter. He spearheaded the bank building it from the dirt up. Bob and Freda worked side-by-side through the years until his retirement.
Bob was fortunate in love. He met Mrs. Donna Reynolds of Norman, Oklahoma and the two married in December 1990. They were married for over 13 years when Donna passed to heaven in 2003. Donnas two daughters and son-in-laws and granddaughters became part of the Brawley family.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Georgia E. and Robert L. Brawley, older brother, Robert Lesley Brawley, Jr., his wife, Freda Ann McAlister Brawley, son, Barry W. Brawley, grandson, Cory Findley, and wife, Donna Reynolds Brawley.
He is survived by his daughters and their spouses, Peggy and Randy Ashley, Teresa and Vance Montgomery, Toni and Randy Nance, and son-in-law, Richard Findley, daughters and spouses, Sheila and Ron Brumfield and Sharon Clardy, 13 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. The family would also like to thank Deanna Kaiser and Integris Hospice nurses, Jen and Stacy, for their relentless love, support and assistance.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30am, Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Mercer-Adams Chapel and 2:30pm at the Church of Christ at 4th & College in Cordell, OK, with interment to follow at Cordell Lawnview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Integris Hospice in Bobs name.
Funeral Service
Thursday, April 14, 2016
10:30 AM Mercer-Adams Chapel
3925 N. Asbury
Bethany, OK 73008