Obituary of Robert Boudrie

Robert "Bob" Martin Boudrie was born in Monroe on December 3, 1940. He was one of seven children raised by the late James E. and Mabel I. (Roe) Boudrie. Bob's mother passed when he was four years old, a tragedy that never held him back in life. He grew up on a farm with his nieces and nephews, and was the youngest of seven siblings. Early in life he learned the value of hard work, family, and laughter. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the United States Army honorably serving after the Korean War. He obtained the rank of Specialist 4th class while stationed overseas in both Korea and Japan. Bob married Patricia C. Moore and from this union came the birth of two children. After parting ways, they remained close friends. Bob went on to marry his soul mate and love Patricia C. Cooley and together they had four children. For more than thirty-eight years, Bob supported his family through employment at Ford Motor Company, retiring in 2000. Bob was a very loving and devoted dad and papa. There was nothing in the world he would rather do than to spend time with his family. He especially adored and doted over his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Being a jack-of-all-trades, Bob built his first home with his own hands. He was a collector of everything: coins, stamps and comics. Bob was a captivating conversationalist; telling a good joke or a tall tale with any willing audience and sharing proud stories of his family. Bob, age 73 of Newport passed away surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Mercy Memorial Hospital. In addition to his parents, his passing was preceded by two brothers: Jerry and James Boudrie Jr.; a sister: Pat Murphy; and a granddaughter: Alisha Lynne. To cherish his memory, Bob leaves his beloved partner, Patricia C. Boudrie of Newport; three sons: Robert M. Boudrie II of Dundee, Jaimie (Tori) Boudrie of Traverse City and Jess (Katie) Boudrie of Newport; three daughters: Robin (Walter) Sweigert of Dundee, Jeanine (John) Russ of Canton and Misti Boudrie of Newport; a daughter-in-law: Michelle (Bud) Shields of Deerfield; two brothers: Frank "Ledyard" Boudrie of Maybee and Tom (Mary) Boudrie of Monroe; a sister: Donna (Bob) Preston of Maybee; fifteen beloved grandchildren; eight great grandchildren with one on the way; beloved nieces and nephews. Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm, Friday, August 29, 2014 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of His Life will take place at 11:00am; Saturday, August 30, also at Merkle's with Reverend Mike Cunningham of Frenchtown Missionary Baptist Church officiating. Procession will follow to Rath Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Salvation Army of Monroe or Monroe VFW Post 1138. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.