Robert Gryder

TEN MILE — Robert Jonathan Gryder, 71, passed away May 6, 2018, at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. He was born in Red Bank, Tenn., to John and Pricilla Gryder. He graduated from Southwest Miami High School in 1965 and earned his Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts from Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., in 1980. He had been a resident of Meigs County since 2005. Robert proudly and honorably served our country in a very active and adventurous career in the U.S. military, first in the U.S. Marine Corp, and eventually retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard. To see his outstanding military accomplishments, please read his detailed obituary online at www.bowersfh.com. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Barbara Bunyard Gryder; and his parents, John Earl Gryder and Pricilla Breedlove Gryder. Survivors include his fiancée, Jenny Mathews of Hixson; his brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and “Bitsy” Gryder, of Dayton; cousins, Lisa Breedlove, of Chattanooga, Pat (Neil) Smith, of Oak Ridge, Shelby Moon and family, of South Carolina, and Traci (Brett) Wood and family, of Monticello, Fla.; Nephew, Joseph Emmett Gryder, of Arnold, Md.; niece, Lorilei Dreibelbis, of Front Royal, Va.; and several great-nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at Bowers Funeral Home in Decatur on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at 10 a.m. Inurnment with full military honors and Masonic rites will follow at Buttram Cemetery in Dayton. Robert answered his country’s call, “riding to the sound of cannons”. In lieu of flowers, it was Robert’s desire and the family’s request that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). Arrangements have been entrusted by the family to Bowers Funeral Home. (423-334-3661). Please go to www.bowersfh.com to sign the guest book and offer your condolences.