Bobby Nelson Babcock

Bobby Nelson Babcock, 71, of Groom died Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017 at First Baptist Church in Groom. Burial will follow at the Groom Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.

Bobby was born December 28, 1945 in Pampa to Jim and Ruby Babcock. He graduated from Groom High School class of 1964. Bobby attended East Texas State University earning a degree in Agricultural Business. While at East Texas he served as the rodeo club president and became a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Relationships formed in that fraternity would last his lifetime, and he was a “Lifelong Sig.” Shortly after graduation he married his best friend and partner in life, Judy Crawford on May 31, 1968 in Lake Dallas, Texas.

Early on in his career he worked for Diamond Shamrock Corporation and the Sigmor Corporation before returning home to Groom in 1975. It was coming home to Groom that he was able to embrace the cowboy way of living. He was the manager of Eschle Feedyard and later worked as a cowboy for Frank Simms of Panhandle, taking care of several thousand head of cattle on pasture.

In August of 1986 he went to work as Vice President of The State National Bank of Groom. He eventually assumed the role of President, CEO and served as the Chairman of the Board, all positions he held until his death.

People, they were important to Bobby. It didn’t matter if you were a cowboy, a client of the bank or someone in between, relationships were important to him; therefore you were important to him. He was selfless, genuine and loyal. Bobby had the heart of a cowboy and the mannerisms of a true gentleman, qualities that drew people to him. Bobby and those rare qualities will be missed greatly by his loving family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bobby is survived by his wife Judy Babcock of Groom; three sisters, Cherie Koontz and husband TJ of Amarillo, Aimee Lamberson of Panhandle; and Janice Koetting and husband John of Groom; his brother, Alan Babcock and wife Martha of San Antonio, Texas; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6-7:00 p.m. Friday, March 24, 2017 at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the Groom Ambulance Fund, PO Box 217, Groom, TX 79039; the Salvation Army, 701 S. Cuyler, Pampa, TX 79065; or to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79174.

Online condolences may be shared at www.schoolerfuneralhome.com.