Robert Lee “Bob” Wafford was born on October 28, 1931, in Earl, Arkansas, to the late Robert and Zellner Wafford.

He graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan. In his later years, he attended IVY Tech. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Robert married Mary Frances (Nichols) Walker on September 30, 1962, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Robert accepted Christ as his Savior in 1963, and was a devoted and faithful member of Summit Church where he was a father to all and affectionately known as “Dad Wafford”.

Robert worked at International Harvester for seventeen years and eventually retired from Dana Corporation in 1994. After his retirement, he was involved with the Fort Wayne Community Schools at Fairfield Elementary School as a mentor and assistant until he retired in 2010. For his community involvement, Robert received a community service award from the Theta Upsilon Lambda Chapter, of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. In 2001, he and his wife, Mary were awarded the Elizabeth Dobynes Award from the Fort Wayne Chapter of the NAACP.

Robert always enjoyed playing chess and was an avid bowler and reader. His team, Huddles Bar-B-Que, was the first African-American team to win the Fort Wayne City Tournament in the 1965-66 season. Robert’s bowling nickname was “Sugar” because of the way he rolled his ball and the results he always got. He was inducted into the United States Bowling Congress in 1987 and the Fort Wayne Bowlers Hall of Fame in 1997.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, son, Dennis Wafford, and grandson, Ray Craig, Jr.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Wafford; children, Donna Craig, Wayne (Trina) Walker, Anthony (Diane) Wafford, Ricci Wafford, and Leasa Wafford; sisters-in-law, Essie Rousell, Obedient Nichols, and Elease McMurtry; grandchildren, Anthony Curtis Wafford, Dennis Ricci Wafford, Jennifer Wafford, and LaQuia Vinson; four great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Robert will be entombed in Covington Memorial Gardens

The family of Robert wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staff of          Heritage Park Healthcare.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association

 Service Information