Bob was born February 24, 1939, to James Artie Carmack and Anne Hackney Carmack in Jacksonville, TX. He attended elementary school at Kilgore, Coleman, and Abilene. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout while in high school. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1959. He and his parents moved to Longview where he attended Kilgore Junior College and Stephen F. Austin and worked at Turpie Slade Menss Wear in downtown for many years. He was President of Phi Delta Theta on the SFA campus. A member of the National Guard when President Kennedy called up the 49th Armored Division, Bob served his country for two years. 1968 was a big year for Bob. He was named Jaycee Man of the Year and served as the Gregg County Fair Chairman. He also married Patricia Wooldridge Carmack on August 4th, 1968. He went back to SFA and received his BS in Business. He went to work for Hallsville ISD as a Distributive Education Coordinator. He attended Texas A & M Commerce and completed his Masters Degree in Vocational Supervision. He worked for Kilgore ISD as their Vocational Supervisor, sold insurance and securities in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, worked for Texas Rehabilitation Commission as a counselor, and retired with Kilgore College as Job Placement Coordinator in 2005. Bob was also the recipient of a national sales award for securities in 1987.

Bob suffered from diabetes and renal failure in the late 90's. He received a kidney transplant Dec 24th, 2003, at Baylor Medical Center. After a year the new kidney failed and he was forced to go back on dialysis. Miraculously as an answer to prayer, within six months the kidney began to work again. He had 6 more years of freedom before the renal failure returned in September, 2011.

Bob loved to travel, especially to Israel, making 5 trips. He loved to fish and hunt earlier in his life. He especially enjoyed target shooting with his friends and reconnecting with many of his fraternity brothers in the area in the last few years. He never let the truth stand in the way of a good story and would keep you laughing as long as you would listen.

Bob gave his life to the Lord at age 16 in the First Baptist Church of Abilene and served in many capacities in the churches where he attended throughout his life. He served as Chairman of the board of Wesley Methodist Church; served as a board member at Church on the Rock; Darlene Matthews Ministries and The Ministry Church. In 1999 he accompanied Rev. Jerry Matthews on a preaching crusade in Malawi, Africa, where he shared the love of Jesus with those dear people. 

Bob passed away April 14, 2013. He was preceded in death by his father James Artie Carmack, his mother Anne Hackney Carmack Ottman, his brother James Ronnie Carmack and his father-in-law William Charles Wooldridge. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Patricia Wooldridge Carmack; his mother-in-law Stella Wooldridge; his sister in law and husband Vicki and Jim Thornton; his brother-in-law and wife Charley and Kris Wooldridge of Sterling, VA., and 3 nieces and 3 nephews.


The family would like to thank all the friends and church family members who showed such love to us through Bobs declining health, Dr. Glenn McDonald and his associates, Dr. Ronald Scott, Dr. Plan, Dr. Oscar Chastain and Dr. Michael Langford, Dr. Reddy, the nurses at Clairmont Rehab, DaVita Dialysis at Fredonia, and especially Gail McBride, the staff, nurses and doctors at Beacon Hospice Margarets Place for their dedication. Most of all, we would like to thank our heavenly Father for all the miracles and provision during our time of need and throughout our lives.

A Memorial service will be held at The Ministry Church, 1600 Crestview, Longview, at 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 20th with Pastor Darlene Matthews presiding. The family will receive visitors prior to the service at 10:00 AM. No flowers please. The family requests that a donation to The Ministry Church be made in lieu of flowers.
Cremation arrangements are under the care of Rader Funeral Home in Longview.