Dr. Robert Joseph Steeley aka “RJ,” “Bob,” and “Dr. Steeley,” age 82, passed away the evening of Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at Traylor Retirement Community in Roanoke, Alabama after living his final 10 years dealing with the debilitating effects of a major stroke that occurred in 2015.
Bob was born in Key West, Florida on January 10, 1943 as the only child to the late Gordon Thomas Steeley and the late Ivesta Jones Steeley. He spent his very early childhood in Scottsboro, Alabama and he was able to begin his life surrounded by family. His cousins were his best friends and more like brothers to him.
He and his family moved to Beaufort, South Carolina when Bob was beginning 1st grade because both of his parents had been hired to work at Parris Island (the Marines Corps Boot Camp). In the 3rd grade, Bob met a sweet, smart, and pretty young lady named Joan Gantt whom he would later marry.
He had several jobs as a teenager such as working on a draw bridge; helping the fisherman and shrimpers – sometimes on the boats and sometimes when they brought in their daily catch at the end of a long, but successful day. He occasionally was paid in cash, but he also, at times, received shrimp, turtles, and a variety of fish as payment for his hard work.
Throughout his childhood and continuing through the years until graduating from high school, he played football, basketball, baseball and was part of the Beaufort High School Tidal Wave’s State Championship Track and Field Team as a pole vaulter. He was also the lead singer and guitar player in a local band in the 50s.
He was a major Elvis fan and sang a lot of his songs. The girls would scream when he was on stage, much like they would for Elvis!
Bob was a lifelong South Carolina Gamecocks fan, Atlanta Braves fan, fisherman, and golfer.
After high school graduation, he was dating the girl from 3rd grade and proposed. She said yes!
He earned many degrees over the years in the field of education relating to teaching 1st – 12th grades, history, counseling, educational leadership, and administration from several colleges including The Citadel, and The University of South Carolina at the main campus in Columbia and also at the campus in Beaufort.
In 1978, he completed his doctorate in education to become “Dr. Steeley.” He accomplished a great deal in his career and lifetime with his wife, Joan Gantt Steeley, whom he married in 1961, by his side as a team. They had been married for 49.5 years when she passed away in 2011.
He is survived by his children: Chris (Morgen) Steeley of Summerville, SC; Tracy Henson of Woodstock , GA; and Jennifer (John) Fuller of West Point, GA and grandchildren: Nikole, Ashley, Gantt, Tyler, and Taylor. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Patsy Jones in Missouri and Faye Mills in Florida, brothers-in-law George (Dana) Gantt in Florida and Steve (Angela) Gantt, also in Florida, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Joan Gantt Steeley; his parents, Gordon Thomas Steeley and Ivesta Jones Steeley; brothers-in-law Robert Mills and Larry Jones; and his father-in-law Thomas James Gantt and mother-in-law Eva Gantt Davis.
Over the years, he served in many capacities in education as a coach, history teacher, assistant principal, and headmaster.
He also was in the National Guard and the Rotary Club.
He was a Christian and served as a Deacon for the Baptist and Methodist churches where they were members in the towns in which they resided.
His career began at his high school alma mater, Beaufort High School, followed by Calhoun Academy, also in SC. He was then hired to be the first headmaster at Holly Hill Academy in SC, but there was a catch – it didn’t exist yet! Thankfully, he was up to the task. He needed to help build the actual school first (literally) and hire all of the faculty and staff. The school opened its doors for students in the fall of 1970 and recently celebrated their 50 year anniversary in 2020 and the school is still serving students today from K2 (2 years old) to 12th grade. In 1982, he became the headmaster of Hammond School in Columbia, SC and left there in 1986 to become the headmaster of Springwood School in Lanett, AL for 18 years.
In 2004, he returned to South Carolina and accepted the headmaster position at Cambridge Academy in Greenwood, SC. He decided, after 2 years, to return to work in the public sector for Greenwood District 51 schools. He was able to retire in 2011.
He spent his retirement fishing, playing golf, and traveling.
Unfortunately, he had a stroke in 2015, which caused the paralysis of the left side of his body. He was able to stay with and be cared for family for a while, but eventually needed the services of a skilled nursing facility.
He moved to Traylor Retirement Community in Roanoke, AL in January 2018 and was there until his passing. The family would like to thank the Traylor’s staff, especially the ones in Unit 1, where he resided for 7.5 years.
Also, special thanks to a CNA, Adrienne, for spoiling her “Pops” and becoming an honorary “Steeley” and to the RN in Unit 1, Megan, for always keeping the family informed and for always showing us kindness and compassion.
The family is also grateful to Dr. Ivan Lewis Slavich for saving their Dad’s life in 1996 and giving him 29 more years with us.
Visitation with the family will be held at the Springwood School Freeman Arts Center in Lanett, AL on Saturday, June 21st from 12-2 pm Eastern Time.
Burial will be held at a later date in Beaufort, SC.
Flowers may be sent to Johnson Brown Funeral Home in Valley, AL or to their daughter (Jennifer ‘s) home in West Point, GA by messaging her privately for the address.
Please visit Dr Steeley’s Memorial Tribute page to leave a kind word for her family, to share a memory of Dee, or to light a Remembrance Candle in her memory.
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.