Robert Fulghum

Robert Eugene Fulghum, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Retired Captain of the US Navy, was born in Memphis, TN on August 20, 1939 to Mr. Bernard Eugene Fulghum and Mrs. Agnes Warbritton Fulghum. Bob died suddenly on September 3, 2024 from heart complications, while with his beloved wife of 58 years, Mrs. Leona Garth Fulghum, in their sunny-yellow historic Concord, NC home of 50 years. We trust Bob now joins the heavenly communion of saints, in that place where pain is ended and eternal peace reigns.

In his 85 years, Bob led an accomplished life defined by love and service. Raised on a small farm in Memphis, TN, Bob developed a love for animals and the peace found in nature. Athletic, intelligent, and popular as a student at Central High School, he was named Mr. Memphis and the first King of Dixie Dairy Land. He briefly attended Southwestern (now Rhodes) College on a Leadership Scholarship, joined the Kappa Alpha Order, and was the starting fullback on the football team. When a congressional appointment opened at the US Naval Academy, Bob moved to Annapolis, where he was on the Swimming & Diving and Football teams, playing with Roger Staubach. With the Class of 1962, he had the honor of marching in President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration parade. After graduation, Bob was stationed in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and met the love of his life, Leona, a Juilliard voice student, outside of the elevator in their apartment complex. They were soon married on December 29, 1965 in Florence, AL. As an officer in the Navy Supply Corps, Bob was deployed for two tours in the Vietnam War, and while stateside, he was stationed in San Diego and Detroit. Shortly after the birth of his first two children, Bob left active duty and enrolled in veterinary school at Auburn University. An opportunity to be a practicing veterinarian brought Bob and his young family to Concord, NC, where he opened a solo large and small animal veterinary practice, the Animal Care Clinic. In 1984, he was hired as the Assistant State Veterinarian of the NC Department of Agriculture (NCDA). Missing his work with animals, he soon transitioned to a long career as a Veterinary Medical Officer in the NCDA, overseeing animal welfare for 20 years with an outstanding team in numerous counties in NC. Throughout this period, Bob remained in the US Navy Reserve, retiring as a Captain, after 26 years of service.

Notwithstanding all his many professional accomplishments, Bob continually set aside personal ambition to dedicate himself to loving service to his family and community. A big supporter of the public school system, he was President of the Coltrane-Webb PTA, helping rebuild the playground. He served on the Cabarrus County School Board during a critical period post-integration. Bob was a Boy Scout leader, coach and announcer at Concord Swim Club, and ran concessions at Boys & Girls Club football games as President of the Noon Optimist Club. A faithful member of First Presbyterian Church of Concord, he taught and was the Superintendent of the Sunday School and served as Chair of the Deacons. A loving and steadfast father to four children, Bob spread joy, humor, and fun wherever he went. A lover of all sports, he was always the loudest voice cheering on his children’s teams and was well known for his “first down” chant at the Panther’s Bank of America stadium. He enjoyed playing guitar with his sons, riding horses with his girls, snow skiing, braving roller coasters and waterslides, annually hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail, canoeing, sailing, growing tomatoes, and camping with the family. After a tragic car accident killed his first son Shawn and left his other son John with a severe traumatic brain injury, Bob and Leona both retired and lovingly cared for John in their home for 24 years. All who knew Bob were inspired by his selfless dedication to his family and how he met toil and grief with joy, faith, and hope in the Triune God.

The family is grateful for the long and loving life they shared with Bob and rejoice that his spirit rests eternally in the presence of God, surrounded by the cloud of witnesses of family that have gone before, especially: Mr. & Mrs. B.E. Fulghum; his sister Ms. Anita Fulghum Knapp; and his sons Mr. Robert Shawn Fulghum and Mr. John Hunter Fulghum. Bob is survived by: his wife, Leona; his daughter Mrs. Heather Timbs Fulghum & her wife Mrs. Deborah Harris; his daughter Rev. Margaret Fulghum Davis & her husband Prof. R. Benjamin Davis; his granddaughter Miss Reven Harris Fulghum; his grandsons Masters Robert “Robby” Hale Davis & Peter Collins Davis, his brother Mr. Gene Fulghum (Carann), his brother-in-law Mr. Jim Garth (Brenda) and sisters-in-law Ms. Margaret Johnson & Ms. Angie Chiquette, and all his family, including many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a large community of supportive friends, coworkers, caregivers, neighbors, and church members, whom he loved as family.

Bob’s remains will be privately laid to rest alongside his sons in Memorial Gardens. A public memorial service will be officiated by the Rev. Ellen Crawford True on Saturday, October 12 at 1:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 70 Union Street North in Concord, NC. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church’s Davis Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to: First Presbyterian Church of Concord (PO Box 789, Concord, NC 28026), Mercy Ships International (PO Box 1930, Garden Valley, TX 75771), St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105), or Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine (317 South College St., Auburn, AL 36849).