Robert Allen Bullock

Raleigh, North Carolina – After a brief illness, Robert Allen Bullock passed away on 9/4/2024 at Duke Raleigh Hospital at the age of 85. He was born on 3/30/1939 in Goshen, Indiana to George and Dorothy Bullock. 

Robert “Bob” Bullock graduated from Milford High School in 1957. He received an associate’s degree in business from International Business College in 1959. After college, he worked for General Motors in Marion, Indiana. In 1961, he decided to enlist in the United States Army, where he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and worked as a company clerk until his honorable discharge in 1963. After his stint in the Army, Bob returned home to Warsaw and worked at his family’s restaurant, Bullock’s Calico Kitchen, where he met the love of his life, Carla (but more on that in a moment). He decided then to work for Coppes Kitchens in Nappanee from 1966-1972. His last two places of employment were very rewarding. From 1972-1993, he was a director of accounting for DePuy Orthopedics, which began with fewer than 20 employees. Upon their move to North Carolina in 1996, he was given the opportunity to be the Director of Accounting for a family run business, Generation Companies until his retirement in 2014 to enjoy a life of leisure and golf. 

Now, more about the love of his life, Carla who he fondly called “Carla Jean, My Beauty Queen.” Carla was in high school at the time of their meeting when she applied to work at Bullock’s Calico Kitchen. Bob did not want to hire her (high school students needed too much time off) but his mother, Dorothy, convinced him to hire her. Despite their age difference, love bloomed, and they were married at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church on June 1, 1968, surrounded by family and friends. This past June, they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. On 11/1/1970, they welcomed their one and only child, Jeana Ann. As a family of three, they did many things together such as trips, many holidays with extended families and going to church “almost” every Sunday. Bob served for many years on the Combined Community Services as a board member, was a member of the Warsaw Morning Optimist Club and an avid golfer/member of the Rozella Fold Golf Course. 

Besides his family, Bob’s faith in God was first. He often stated that you needed to have JOY; Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last. This faith was nurtured and encouraged by his mother Dorothy and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Warsaw, Indiana. Bob and his older brother George were the first acolytes for St. Anne’s. Bob served on so many church committees that they could not all be listed, or this obituary would be longer than a church sermon. Bob and Carla were members of St. Anne’s until they moved to North Carolina in 1996 but continued to return home to Warsaw every year and would attend a Sunday service during their visits. One Sunday in 1997, Bob and Carla attended a service at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Durham, North Carolina and realized that they had found a new church family to give their time, faith and service. Bob again would serve on church committees, most recently on the foundation committee. He loved to go to the church weekly to sign checks. It was a highlight of his week in his most recent history. 

Bob is survived by his wife Carla Jean of Raleigh, NC; daughter Jeana (David) Ellis of Raleigh, NC; granddaughter, Lucy Ellis and grandson, Sam Ellis of Raleigh, NC. Additionally, he is survived by his sister Jeanine Knowles of Warsaw, IN; sister Rebecca (Phil) Rinker of Goodyear, AZ; and Cousin Eleanor Strukel of Elkhart, IN. Furthermore, he is survived by many nieces and nephews who he will always be “Our Uncle Bob”! He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothy Bullock and his older brother George Bullock. 

Due to his everlasting faith in God, there will be two memorial services. First at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 82 Kimberly Drive, Durham, NC 27707 on 9/20/24 at 2:00 pm with small reception to follow. The second one will be at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 424 West Market Street, Warsaw, Indiana 46580 on 10/12/24 at 11:00 am with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family would love to continue his faith and stewardship by donating to either St. Stephen’s Memorial Fund or St. Anne’s Memorial Fund in his name. Matthew 25:23 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” 

The Bullock family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.