ROBERT D. TRACY

Robert D. Tracy, 85, of Columbia City, Indiana passed away at 2:05 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2014 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Born on May 23, 1928 in Oblong, Illinois, he was the son of Clarence Lester and Letha L.(Alexander) Tracy.

He was born and raised in Oblong where he helped out doing chores on his familys farm.He attended Oblong Township High School. Robert served in the Army before joining the Air Force where he was stationed in Japan during the Korean War.He was a communications operator on supply flights. Following the war he received his Bachelor's degree in Chicago. On June 18, 1952, he married Blanche M. Neeley in Gary, IN. He worked for Magnavox in Urbana, IL and was transferred to their Ft. Wayne location in 1971.He lived in Ft. Wayne until the early 80's when he moved his family out into the countryside of rural Columbia City.He had been an Electronic Engineer with Magnavox for over 30 years, retiring in 1988 and was a member of the Magnavox Foreman Club. He enjoyed woodworking and had a Shopsmith at his home.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Blanche Tracy; sons, Phillip Tracy of Ft. Wayne, Dan (Sheila) Tracy of Chipley, FL, Eric (Donna) Tracy of Perryville, AR and Todd (Cindy) Tracy of Canyon Lake, TX; daughters, Melanie Nahrwold of Xenia, OH, Lisa (Gary) Peters of Fort Wayne, Tara (Brian) Johnson of Columbia City and Tina (Doug) Sample of Fort Wayne; brothers, Dick (Martha) Tracy of Newton, IL and Johnny (Janez) Tracy of Robinson, IL; sister, Sharon (Fred) Boyd of Huntsville, TX; 16 grandchildren;and 15 great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Jeffrey; and son-in-law, Roy Yoder.

A graveside service will be held at a later date at Prior Grove Cemetery in Oblong, IL.