Robert C. Radford, Jr., 89

Robert (Bobby/Bob) C. Radford, Jr., age 89, of Adrian, passed away Friday, November 14, 2025, at his home after a brief battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, December 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Earl Varner 4H Clubhouse in Swainsboro.

Bobby was born September 7, 1936, in Sparta, to the late Robert C. Radford and Laura Janette Yeomans Radford. The family relocated to Adrian in 1943. Bobby attended Adrian schools, graduating with the class of 1954. He then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Georgia Tech in 1961. In his time at Georgia Tech, he formed a band of fraternity brothers in Pi Kappa Alpha who became lifelong friends. Bob enjoyed a 30-year career working for Ryder/P.I.E., a nationwide carrier based in Oakland, CA and Jacksonville, FL. Making company history, Bob was promoted to V.P. of Line Transportation at the age of 35. He retired from CTI/Ceva Logistics in December of 1999.

In Bobby’s retirement, he found great joy in taking on personal building projects, including building his own home from the ground up on cherished family land. He was an avid reader, history buff, classical music aficionado, and always knew all the Jeopardy! answers. Bobby would often be seen around town with his treasured Weimaraners, Homer and Jake, or tending to his yard and many plants. Though highly independent in nature, he enjoyed a good barbeque with good friends, good beer, and lots of ribs. Mr. Radford is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ronald; first wife, Rita Callan Radford; and their three children, Warner Clayton, Laura C., and Alexander C.

Mr. Radford is survived by his wife of 32 years, Patricia (Pati) Cathey Radford; stepchildren, Jessica and Kenneth; brother, Charles of Adrian; grandchildren, Joseph and Elizabeth Radford; several beloved nephews and nieces; and special friends who became family, Thomas Sconyers of Adrian, Mike Kennedy of Statesboro and the family of the late Capers Rice of Vidalia.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Emanuel County Historical Preservation Society, PO Box 353, Swainsboro, GA 30401.

Tomlinson Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.