Robert Melvin Lathrop

Robert Melvin Lathrop, age 76 of Garland, TX, passed away on May 9, 2017. He was born on November 28, 1940 in New London, CT to Melvin and Grace (Everett) Lathrop. He graduated from Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, CT in 1959. The following year, in 1960, Robert joined the military, and he served in the U.S. Air Force until 1968. During that time, he married Peggy Gill. They were married on May 5, 1962 in Haines City, FL. Robert was sent to Okinawa, Japan that same year, and they lived there until 1964.

Robert was a resident of Garland for 40 years, and he attended Northlake Baptist Church and Lavon Drive Baptist Church. He worked for the Department of Defense as a Quality Assurance Specialist and was a member of the Amateur Radio Club in Garland. After he retired, Robert had many hobbies to keep himself occupied. He enjoyed flying remote controlled airplanes, and he spent a lot of time repairing computers for friends and family. His rates for computer repairs were quite reasonable at the cost of “only one shiny quarter.” Robert loved taking his family to Colorado for some quality time. They would go camping, fishing, and biking. His family was the most important thing to him, and he loved each of them dearly. Robert will be sorely missed by his family and friends, but they will always remember him with love, smiles, and laughter.

Robert is survived by his wife of 55 years, Peggy Lathrop; daughter, Carol Peterson; granddaughter, Sophia Peterson; and four brothers and their families, Earl Lathrop, Jabez Lathrop, William Lathrop, and Donald Lathrop. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin Lathrop and Grace Brown, and one sister, Roberta.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, May 12, 2017 at Charles W. Smith and Sons Chapel in Sachse with Bob Duckworth and Alan Walraven officiating. Inurnment will follow at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Robert’s memory to the Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center at www.marycrowley.org.