Obituary of Bobby Gene Eden

Bobby Gene Eden was born October 7, 1954, in Springdale, AR to Billy Dene & Fern Juanette (Butler) Eden and passed from this life on December 12, 2023, at the age of 69, at St. Francis Hospital, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following complications from pneumonia and heart surgery.

Bobby graduated from Springdale High School, in Springdale, Arkansas in the Class of 1972. He was an All-State Clarinetist, and he also served as Drum Major for the SHS Marching Band in 1971-72. Bob was an accomplished, self-taught pianist and singer. He performed with southern gospel quartets around Northwest Arkansas in the early – mid 1970’s.  His work career had its early roots working on the family farm, where Bobby toiled with his brothers in such tasks as tending to the grape vineyard, planting, hoeing, picking and otherwise helping with the grape crops. As an older teenager, Bob worked around the Eden and Sons Feed Store in Springdale, and one of his early jobs away from the home and family business was at Oglesby’s Drug Store on Emma Ave. Bob moved to Tulsa in the late 1970s, where he worked for the 7-11 Corporation, and spent the last several years of his working career in the telecommunications business, where he excelled in customer service.  Bob retired in November 2022. Bob was a kind, loving, thoughtful, generous person who was loved by everyone he met. One of his classmates commented, “He was liked by everyone that came in contact with him…..his smile, his kindness, and he made everyone feel valued.”

His generosity was exhibited by his donations to various organizations and causes, including Little Light House, St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital, the Alzheimer’s organization, volunteering as a reading partner at Grove Elementary, and volunteering at Oktoberfest for several years. Grandpa Bob was especially devoted to his children and Grandchildren, who he loved with all his heart!

Bobby is preceded in death by his parents and his husband and life partner of 38 years, Randall Lee Cole. He is survived by his daughter, Shawna Callaway; his son and daughter-in-law, Shane & Jessica Eden; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Jimmy & Carol Eden, Greg & Nadine Eden, and Kenny & Dawn Eden; and his grandchildren, Mary, Job, Travis, Eden, Noah and Finley.

A Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2024, at the Ninde Brookside Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Bobby’s memory be made to Little Light House, 5120 E 6th St, Tulsa, OK 74135, or https://www.littlelighthouse.org/

Ninde Funeral & Cremation | (918) 742-5556 | www.ninde.com