Robert "Bob" Wayne Sparrow

May 24, 1936 - December 03, 2025

Robert Wayne Sparrow, Col USMC Retired, 89, of Floyd Virginia, passed away on 12/3/2025 of natural causes. Robert, aka “Bob”, Sparrow was born 5/24/1936 in Uniontown PA, the only child of Adeline Mayhew and Wayne Gross Sparrow. Bob attended and graduated Mt. Lebanon High School and then went on to attend Duke University where he earned a business degree and met his spouse to be, Shirley Jo Arn of Dayton, Ohio.

Bob joined the United States Marine Corps where he served four years of active duty and 31 years of reserve duty, rising to the rank of full bird Colonel.

Bob also retired from a corporate position with the Southland Corporation in the late 80s and he and Shirley moved from Texas to Floyd, VA where they lived together for over 30 years.

Bob is survived by his wife, Shirley, and two sons Cary and Drew. He is also survived by several grandchildren: Tanner, Layton, Callen, James, and Maddie.

A graveside service will be held at the Southwest Virginia Veterans' Cemetery in Dublin, VA on Thursday, December 18 at 12pm.

We will miss Bob and are sorry to hear that he has passed.

I had the pleasure of being in the Floyd Investment Club Association with Bob. At one time, he was club president while I was club secretary. He was modest by never mentioning his service in combat as a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps. I enjoyed his wit and intelligence and I have fond memories of,his being in my home from time to time.

We met Bob when he helped coach the Floyd County High School track team when our son was on the team. I also enjoyed working with Shirley at the Angels in the Attic sorting house on Fridays. On behalf of the Angels in the Attic volunteers, we send our deepest sympathy to Shirley, their sons, and families.

It was a pleasure knowing you Bob

One of my very dearest longtime friends from Mr Lebanon High School on. I agree 100% with all the comments his investment club friend made about his wit. He was also a very loyal friend. I, too, had p it’s OK I’ve been cleaning very pleasant. Yeah well it’s downstairs. I got rid of everything. Yes I was. I’d play music with the news is so horrible not thank you. Oh yeah, on Friday or Friday yeah I just went to my sister’s friend is sisters sister. She got clover. She goes to the eye his sister your sister U-R-U is an it’s OK I’ve been cleaning very pleasant. Yeah well it’s downstairs. I got rid of everything. Yes I was. I’d play music with the news is so horrible not thank you. Oh yeah, on Friday or Friday yeah I just went to my sister‘s friend is sisters sister. She goes to the eye his sister your sister U-R- idea he was a Bird Col. I knew he had been in the Marines. The only thing I knew about his service was that he was taking a break with a buddy while he was on active duty. They were dreaming about where they would live once they completed their military service. His friend said that the most wonderful place in the entire world was Floyd Virginia. It was on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, the people were very friendly and it was the most beautiful place he’d ever been. At some point after Bob left the military, he went to Floyd, loved it and purchased something like 340 acres, with a house that wasbasically falling down and, if I remember correctly, cattle. He loved the investment club, the track team and chopping down trees. He had enough trees to chop forever. Those of us who knew him well will never forget him.