Bobby Howell Earp

November 29, 1942 - September 25, 2019

Mr. Bobby Howell Earp, 76, of Dunn passed away Wednesday morning at his residence. He was born on November 29, 1942, in Harnett County. He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Lela Earp, four sisters; Rotheline Lewis, Callie Allen, Iris Etheridge, Becky Hardison, and four brothers; Warren Earp, Ed Earp, Deloyte Earp and Billy Earp.

Bobby served in the USMC in the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He served two active tours of duty in long-range, small team recon patrols in 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, Bravo Co. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Navy Commendation with V for Valor and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry medals.

Bobby was a past Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars 6767, and a past Commander of American Legion Post 59. He was a proud member of the Marine Corps League. He was also a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Dunn Shrine Club. He was a member of the First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and an usher.

A funeral service will be held Friday at 2 pm at the First Baptist Church by Dr. Len Keever and Rev. Louis Strickland. Burial will follow in Mingo Baptist Church Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Marinda Earp, a son, Hal Earp and wife Vicky of Raleigh, a daughter, Dee Ann Hayes and husband Ronald of Dunn, his birth mother, Ruth Lee, four sisters; Patty Lockamy of Dunn, Kitty Sexton of Florida, Jeri Dorman of Selma, and Mary Jo Styers of Southern Pines, five grandchildren; Lela Hayes, Logan Earp, Annie Hayes, Noah Earp and James Hayes.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at Skinner & Smith Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Dunn, 309 W. Broad St. Dunn, NC 28334, or to Mingo Baptist Church, 1465 Mingo Church Rd. Dunn, NC 28334.

2nd Plt Bravo at a mini-reunion in Wrightsville Beach in 2010. Standing L-R are Buddy Bowers, Eddy Bolin, Bill Woodier, Roger Hausauer, and Ray Taylor. Front row L-R are Bobby Earp, Steve Thomas. Lt/Capt John Dunn, Doc Bruce Rock, and Dennis Fair.

Recon team Dutch Oven, led by Lt John Dunn, early April 67. Standing L-R are Ray “Gator Theilen, me, David “Stick” Nelson, Doc Wayne Highum, and David “Gertie” Gugich. Kneeling are Mike Bell and Cleofus “Roddy” Rodriguez.

Bill Woodier on the left, Ron Kitzke "Ski" in the middle and Bobby Earp on the right.

Ski was KIA 27 Dec 67

Bobby Howell Earp