Bobby Gene Edmonds , 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Powell, Tennessee.  Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, paratrooper, business owner, neighbor, and friend.  Bob lived his life with honor, charity, integrity, and a rich sense of humor.  His life typified the "American Dream" of hard work, fairness, self-reliance, love for his country, and love for his family, friends, and neighbors.

Born in Jefferson County, Tennessee on October 24, 1935, Bob was one of nine children of Joseph McKinley and Ela (Pruitt) Edmonds.  Bob grew up in the Crosby Community of Cocke County and briefly lived in Leavenworth, Washington and Cleveland, Ohio.  In December 1954 he joined the United States Army.  He graduated airborne school and served as a paratrooper with the 11 ^th Airborne Division near Munich, Germany until being honorably discharged in November 1957.  After the service Bob returned to school earning his GED and using GI Bill began studying electronics which set him up for a lifelong career.  In the Fall of 1971 he started his own business, Auto Radio Service, located in the heart of Knoxville on Central Avenue and remained opened for 35 years.  Bob enjoyed the simple things in life like gardening, bird watching, raising chickens, flea marketing, and caring for his beloved dog Bear.  One of his favorite enjoyments in life was being a Papaw.   He was blessed with 40 years with that title.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Phyllis Raye (Baker) Edmonds; his son Robert Wesley Edmonds; daughter Sharon Annette Smith; and several siblings including Lucille Williams, Virginia Proffitt, Joe Edmonds Jr, Aileen Jenkins, Hugh Edmonds, John Edmonds, Paul Edmonds, and Earl Edmonds.

Bob is survived by his son Tom Edmonds; his grandchildren, Brandy Puleo and Angela Dawn Shadrick; great-grandchildren, Kaylee Puleo, Jasmine Puleo, Nathan Puleo, Caden Jackson, Landen Butcher, and Abigail Elrod; plus other friends, family, and neighbors.

The Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 2pm at Woodhaven Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 160 Edgemoor Road, Powell, TN 3784.

Woodhaven Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens are honored to serve the Bobby Gene Edmonds Family.