Mr. Laning

Robert “Bobby” Hartley Laning, 90, was born in Menard on Dec. 22, 1930 and died in Killeen in his home on Feb. 25, 2021.

Burial will take place at Live Oak Cemetery in Youngsport. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

He is survived by wife, Betty Jolene Cosper Laning; daughter, Terri Haygood and husband Tommy of Killeen; grandchildren Brit Schulte and partner Aaron of New York City, Katie Schulte of New Braunfels and their father Mike of Harker Heights; brother Frank Laning of Mesquite; brothers-in-law Wilburn “Heavy” Cosper, and Allen “Paul” Cosper and wife Louise of Killeen; and his nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his son, Robert “Cole” Laning; brothers William Carroll Laning and Paul Hartley Laning; sister Marjorie “Marjie” Laning Carroll and husband Orval; stepbrothers Neal and Stacy Becknell; stepsisters Nelda Becknell Boatright, Virginia Stamper Hood and Vonzella Stamper Underwood; sisters-in-law Dolores “LoLo” Duplessis Cosper and Glenda McBride Laning; brothers-in-law Winfred Brit “Wimp” Cosper and wife Syble; and nephew Bill Laning.

Bobby attended Church of Christ services in Menard as a young boy and was baptized off the nearby banks of the San Saba River.

His family relocated to Killeen following his older brother Paul’s stationing at Camp Hood.

Bobby attended Killeen High School from 1946-1949. He developed a lasting bond with his Kangaroo teammates under their coach, Leo Buckley. Bobby was a three-year letterman fullback and All-District tackle. He also served as president of his sophomore class. He joined the Navy before his senior year and was stationed in San Diego, California for a year.

He married Betty Jolene Cosper Laning on April 18, 1955, and they recently celebrated 66 years together.

He served the Killeen/Fort Hood community by delivering mail with the United States Postal Service for 34 years. He was a union member of the National Association of Letter Carriers AFL-CIO, Region 10, Branch 4217 and served as branch president for a term.

Bobby retired to Cosper Ranch in south Killeen with Jolene where he enjoyed vegetable farming and helped his brothers-in-law Paul, Heavy, Wimp and nephew Michael Lee tend their Charolais cattle.

He adored his two grandchildren, Brit and Katie, treasured their accomplishments and attended their recitals, graduations and sporting events. He taught them about gardening, how to respect and care for animals, and how to fry just about anything.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Trimmier in Killeen and loved singing in the choir with his “backrow buddies.”

Bobby loved camping, fishing and deer hunting with friends and family. He helped Cole and Terri care for their rabbits, chickens, sheep and pigs during their 4-H and FFA years. He spent countless hours prepping animals for the Bell County and Killeen Junior Fair and Livestock shows. This caretaking of animals reached well into his later years, as he also cared for Brit and Katie’s rabbits.

His favorite card game was Pitch. He also loved playing 42 and dominoes. Memorial donations may be sent to First Baptist Church of Trimmier, 6405 Chaparral Rd., Killeen, TX 76542 and Heart of Texas Hospice, 4003 W. Stan Schlueter Loop Suite #2, Killeen, TX 76549.