Robert (Bob) Carvell, Jr.
Bob Carvell was born the middle child of 5 children in the small town of Brinkley, Arkansas to Robert and Charlotte A. Carvell. Bob leaves behind a wife of 61 years, Bettye, and three children, Cindy Byrd of Houston, Dena Carvell of Dallas, and Robert M. Carvell of Rusk. It was in and around Brinkley that he developed his love of nature while fishing and hunting in the fields and rivers of the area. At Brinkley’s Rennick’s Drug Store, while in his teens, he demonstrated his strong work ethic by working part-time and participating in multiple extra-curricular school activities and varsity sports: football, basketball, Student Counsel, Annual Staff, Editor of Annual, Latin Club, school paper staff and Boys State. He was also in his teens when he met his junior high school sweetheart and later his wife of 61 years, Bettye N. Stallings. They were wed in June of 1957, moved to Dallas, Texas, and started their lives together. In Dallas, Bob continued his education and started his career at Texas Instruments in 1958. While working full-time and helping Bettye raise 3 children, he obtained 2 degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from The University at Arlington in 1968, and a Master of Science in Mathematics from Southern Methodist University in 1973.
Bob participated in a variety of research and development programs with multiple governmental customers at Texas Instruments throughout his 32-year career with the company. This worked encompassed projects involving advanced sonar, radar, image processing, and target recognition. Early work in color displays led to Bob obtaining two patents on the preparation and use of phosphors in color displays. He loved his work, but he always said he could not talk much about what he did because some of it was classified.
As busy as he was in school and work, Bob found time for his family and church. He was a good teacher for his children when they needed help with their math homework, and he helped them be active in many sports and school functions. He and Bettye were active members of Brooklyn Avenue United Methodist Church where he held various positions and taught the high school Sunday school class. He loved to take his family on camping and fishing vacations, but he especially loved going home to Brinkley to visit his family.
In 1990, Bob retired from Texas Instruments and moved to Grapeland, Texas. This move allowed him to once again be able to enjoy nature on a daily basis. He loved watching the deer in his meadow, the birds in his trees, and most of all catching fish in his lake. Even in retirement, he stayed busy with volunteer work. He volunteered for 20 years for the AARP Tax Aid program and helped people at Senior Centers in 3 counties with their income taxes. Bob also volunteered at the Palestine Senior Citizen Activity Center and taught computer courses.
His love and teachings will remain in our hearts, and he will forever be missed.
Left to cherish Bob’s memories are his loving wife, Bettye Carvell, son Robert Carvell (Lezlie), daughters Cindy Byrd (Thomas) and Dena Carvell, brother Richard Carvell (Sue), sister Mary Bragg, 3 grandchildren Robert M. Carvell, Jr., Luke Carvell, Justin Carvell, and 2 great-grandchildren Tristian and Noah Carvell.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to be sent to: Guiceland Cemetery, P.O. Box 571, Grapeland, TX. 75844
Visitation was held Saturday, June 23, 2018, 12 to 3 p.m. at Walker & Walker Funeral Home, Grapeland, TX. Graveside service to follow, 4 p.m. at Guiceland Cemetery, Grapeland, TX. Jason Hoffman, Pastor of First Baptist Church of Elkhart, Officiant. Arrangements were under the direction of Walker & Walker Funeral Home.
