Robert “Bob” O. Wells, of Panama City Beach, went peacefully to be with Our Lord Jesus on December 25, 2022, at the age of 72, just as one hopes and prays for someone who has lived a life dedicated to peacemaking. He was predeceased by his parents, Forest O and Marian Rose Weber Wells, and his sister, Sharon Wells Jarrells. He is survived by his loving wife Barbara; precious children Catherine Anne Wells Tomasi (John) of Philadelphia, William Forest Wells of Panama City, Jonathan Dyer Wells of Lynn Haven, Jay Robert Wells of Lynn Haven; treasured grandchildren Ryan Wells of Tallahassee, Samantha Tomasi Graven (Carter) of Baltimore, Madison Wells of Jacksonville, Kelley Wells of Lynn Haven, and Forest Wells of Eastpoint; his devoted uncle Jay Wells (Ellen) of Ashland, Ohio and many nieces, nephews and children, grandchildren and great grandchildren by marriage to Barbara with whom he enjoyed close and loving relationships.
Bob, or “Bobby” as his parents first called him, was born on July 3, 1950, in Boston Massachusetts, to Marian and Forest “Woody,” completing the family with big sister Sherri. As an army brat, he lived with his family in Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, Virginia, Taiwan, and Alabama, eventually traveling to 49 states, all but Alaska, before graduating high school. At age 12, his father was assigned to duty in Taiwan and the family traveled to this assignment via naval ship. Enroute, the sailors awarded the family the unique Domain of the Golden Dragon Certificate with ceremony upon crossing the International Date Line. While in Taiwan during his father’s two-year assignment, he explored several other Asian countries and learned to speak some of the Chinese language.
In 1968, Bob graduated from the Georgia Military Academy (now renamed Woodward Academy) in Atlanta, Georgia and matriculated into The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, as a member of the Class of 1972. Bob served in the Regimental Band Company where he played first the bagpipes and later the baritone, got into mischief as cadets do, and made lifelong friends. His time at The Citadel was special to him and he was able to attend his 50th reunion in early November.
Upon graduation, Bob received a commission into the U.S. Army, presented to him by his father. He served for three years on active duty in Viet Nam and Alaska, finally completing his journey to all 50 states. He then spent 11 years in the Army Reserves, attaining the rank of Captain.
Bob began his law enforcement career with the Anchorage Police Department before returning to Charleston to join the Uniform Patrol Division of the North Charleston Police Department. The Department started a mounted patrol and Bob volunteered to be one of the first three members of the Horse Mounted Patrol Unit, serving with his long-time, statuesque and impressive equine partner “Bobby.” During this time, Bob received the Officer of the Year Award for saving the life of a choking infant.
He left North Charleston to earn his master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Jacksonville State University in 1980. He then moved to Tallahassee to complete doctoral coursework for a PhD (ABD) in Criminology at Florida State University. He had a teaching fellowship at FSU, using his undergraduate degree in education, and honed his skill and love for teaching.
In 1983, Bob returned to law enforcement as the State of Florida’s Chief Investigator for the Department of Revenue. He later became an agent with the Protective Operations Section at the Governor’s Mansion for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, serving three state governors. The newly created Florida Lottery Department then tapped him as an original member of the team of Special Agents for the Division of Security and his children excitedly watched for him on television at 11 pm every Saturday night for the Lotto drawings. Eventually, Bob retired as a Captain in the Inspector General’s Office of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
At this time his family was young, and he assisted with school activities, coached his sons in sports and served as a Boy Scout leader. He later relocated to Bay County, enjoying his time boating, motorcycling, and traveling with his loving wife Barbara, sons and grandchildren; talentedly fixing anything for anyone, anytime, and mastering the smoker like a pit master.
In Tallahassee, Bob was a devoted member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. In Panama City Beach he attended Eastgate Christian Fellowship and later joined Woodlawn Church where he served on the teaching team for his Sunday School class. Christian service was important to Bob and in many of the organizations he joined he served as a chaplain or lay leader. He valued community service and the organizations to which he devoted his time reflected this value. In Alaska, he led a youth group through his church and became a Boy Scout Leader. In Tallahassee, he was president of his local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge for many years. After retirement and relocation to Bay County he served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for 24 years, volunteering as a Watchstander answering radio calls to the Coast Guard Station and updating navigation charts for the active-duty Coast Guard, as well as using his boating and teaching skills to serve the boating public and to develop other Auxiliarists. As an Auxiliarist, he was part of a team that received the prestigious Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) Silver Medal for a rip current rescue-the highest award that AFRAS gives a civilian. He refereed soccer and umpired baseball for school and community teams. Bob loved riding his motorcycle and was a member of the local Christian Motorcyclists Association, where he participated in the Prison Ministry by witnessing to young people incarcerated through the Department of Juvenile Justice. He joined the Patriot Guard Riders, participated in many Honor Missions and served as the state chaplain as the organization was growing in membership. He supported Barbara as an associate member of the Bay County Republican Women and was a volunteer for the Angel House Bereavement Center. He served as president of his neighborhood community club. Following Hurricane Katrina, he volunteered to serve as security at a local shelter for evacuees, living in a trailer on site for several weeks.
Bob lived his life with courage, grace and dignity. He had numerous medical challenges from the time he was a young man, but he never let that define him. He taught his children what it means to serve God and country before oneself. Bob’s family rests in the knowledge that through his selflessness and desire to live according to God’s will, he has now won God’s smile.
A celebration of Life will be held at Woodlawn Church at a date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, Bob’s wishes were for a donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org) or to the charity of the giver’s choice.
Posted in: legacy.com
Posted on: 2023-01-03
Link to original obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/robert-wells-obituary?id=38510603