James Robert “Bobby” Boggus, 64, of Fitzgerald, died Sunday, July 29, 2012 at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton following a courageous battle with ALS.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Thursday, August 2, 2012 at Arbor Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge and the Rev. Terry Cole officiating. Interment will follow in the Fitzgerald Family Cemetery, Wilcox County. The family will receive friends from 6-9 Wednesday evening at Arbor Baptist Church.
Mr. Boggus was born April 28, 1948, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to Martha Barrineau Boggus and the late Thornton D. “Dock” Boggus. As a small boy, Mr. Boggus began his working life running a paper route for The Leader and later The Herald. A 1966 graduate of Fitzgerald High School, he also attended ABAC. Bobby was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War Era having been stationed in Germany. He also served our country in the Georgia National Guard after returning from overseas. He worked at the service station at Sultana Truck Stop and worked in the pulpwood business alongside his father-in-law: Brummie Fitzgerald. Mr. Boggus took over the family business renaming it JRB Logging followed by JRB Trucking. He was owner/operator of Hollywood Performance Trucking and transported trailers for Coachmen Industries. He was also formerly employed with Delphi. Bobby was an active member of Arbor Baptist Church, the United Auto Workers Local, and American Legion Post #99. His many hobbies included sports, auto racing, and supporting the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes. The FHS Football Booster Club honored him with the Fan of the Year Award for 2010-2011.
Bobby is survived by his devoted wife: Joanne Fitzgerald Boggus of Fitzgerald; daughter and son-in-law: Melissa Boggus Wilson & Dale of Fitzgerald; son and daughter-in-law: James Robert “Jamie” Boggus, Jr. & Holli of Ennis, Montana; grandchildren: Daniel Pelham, Tayler Pelham, Dawson Pelham, Alli Pelham, Shelbi Pelham, James Robert “Brummie” Boggus III, Ruby M. Boggus, Zachary Wilson, and Jonathan Wilson; his mother: Martha B. Boggus of Fitzgerald; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. Along with his father, he was preceded in death by a brother: Charles Thornton “Butch” Boggus and a sister: Judy Boggus Dunning.
The family requests those desiring to send memorials may send them to Arbor Baptist Church Building Fund, 1137 N. Merrimac Drive Extension, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or to The Emory ALS Center, Attn: Barry Steig, Director of Development, Department of Neurology, 1440 Clifton Road, Suite 112, Atlanta, GA 30322.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Tift Regional Medical Center, especially the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit.