SMITHFIELD, VA Retired Marine Colonel Robert J. “Bobby Joe” Garner died peacefully from pancreatic cancer at his home in Smithfield, Virginia December 6, 2014. Pattie his loving wife of 47 years, was holding him in her arms. He was 68. Born the son of Robert and Martha Garner in St. Louis Missouri on September 8, 1946, he would go on to live a rich, varied and rewarding life. Thirty one years of which were served in the United States Marine Corps with great distinction. Beginning his career in 1967 Bobby Joe served in the ranks from Private to Corporal. Later, through the Enlisted Commissioning Program, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Earning his wings as a Naval Aviator in 1970, he would further advance to the rank of Colonel and command the 2,200 Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Operation Desert Storm in 1991. In the interim, he served a combat tour in Vietnam as a CH-46 helicopter pilot, awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 22 Air Medals; Served the Nixon, Ford and Carter administrations as a Presidential Helicopter Aircraft Commander with HMX-1; graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in Human Resources Management; served as Executive Officer and CH-46 Instructor pilot with the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron; was the Commanding Officer of his beloved “Red Dragons”, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268; was the recipient of the 1989 Alfred A. Cunningham Award as Marine Aviator of the Year; and graduated from the Army War College. In the subsequent years, among other high level staff positions, he served as the deputy of the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia and obtained an MBA with honors from Old Dominion University. It was the culmination of these duties which earned him the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and two Meritorious Service Medals. After retirement in 1998, Bob worked as Senior Vice President and General Manager with Training and Technology Group L3, MPRI. Faith in God, Love of Wife. Love of Family. Love of “Corps”. Love of physical activity. S Robert J Garner is survived by his wife, Pattie DiAnn Garner, daughters, Cristie Anderson, Robin Haast and four grandchildren, Logan and Kayla Anderson and Mikaela and Catherina Haast, two son-in-laws Jeremy Anderson and Theo Haast, mother-in-law Anna Frazier and sister Pat Frazier. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Martha Garner and father-in-law, Webb Frazier. A memorial service was held on Dec 16th at 10:00 AM at the US Marine Memorial Base Chapel on Embry Loop, Quantico, VA 22134. Burial will be at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd., Triangle, VA 22172 at 13:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Robert Garner to Luter Family YMCA, 259 James Street, Smithfield, VA 23430. Attn: Connie Wykle.