Robert Homer Portman

Robert Homer Portman, 91, of Bonifay, Florida, passed away in his home on July 17, 2026.

Bob was born to Ruth Etta Howe and Homer Portman on December 25, 1934 in Liberty, Kentucky. When he wasn’t going to the movies or making harmless mischief like plugging watermelons and throwing pebbles at street lights, he was finding ways to make money. As an early entrepreneur, he would deliver newspapers or sell items from the family’s store. Bob went to Male High School, which was founded in 1856 and is the oldest high school west of the Allegheny Mountains. His attendance at Male was a source of pride as it offered corps of cadets and Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, of which he participated. He was also a drum major in the school’s highly acclaimed marching band.

After high school, Bob’s mother sent him into the Navy during the Korean War where he begrudgingly served on the USS Robert H.McCard because he was too tall to serve on a submarine. Bob wasn’t on the ship long when his mom, a force to be reckoned with, contacted the ship directly when she hadn’t heard frequently enough from her son. Another source of pride, despite having originally wanted to serve on a submarine, Bob wore his USS Robert H.McCard hat everywhere he went making friends all over the country who either served on the same ship, served during the same time, or just appreciated his service to our country.

Bob met the love of his life, Barbara Ann Biers, who was attending Georgetown College. The story Bob always told was that he met Barbara the first day he returned to campus to continue his education. Barbara played hard to get, but he would not be swayed. It didn’t take long for Bob to persuade Barbara to go on a date and the rest is history, as they say. Bob and Barbara married, had two daughters, and made Hendersonville, Tennessee their home for many years.

Bob enjoyed 64 wonderful years with his beloved Barbara before the Lord called her home in 2021. Their marriage was a partnership based on trust and determination and transcended the deep love and fondness they had for one another. Bob didn’t go anywhere without a photo of Barbara. Not a single night passed that a photo of her wasn’t next to him on the bedside table, regardless of where he slept or traveled. 

Bob was one of the hardest workers you would ever meet, often having multiple jobs at a time. He worked in Nashville’s music industry and became an award winning photographer while also working in the grocery business and for Heinz Corporation. He could often be found on weekends photographing a wedding with his wife and daughters as assistants.

Bob and Barbara built their dream home on Old Hickory Lake in Gallatin, Tennessee, where they enjoyed many years before relocating to Knoxville, Tennessee, to be closer to their daughter, Melinda. After 17 years in Knoxville, Bob and Barbara moved to Destin, Florida, where they lived walking distance from their eldest daughter, Marcia. Almost three years ago, Bob made his final move to Bonifay, Florida, where he, his daughter (Marcia) and son-in-law (Jim) began their dream of living the farm life.

Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing and hunting. He and Barbara visited all 50 states at least once and saw much of the country from their camper. After his retirement, Bob joined a hiking club where he explored much of East Tennessee. Bob–better known as Grandy to his four grandchildren (and named Grandy by his only granddaughter)–fished with all of his grandchildren wherever they could find a body of water. He was also an excellent hunter who hunted with a group of partners that became lifelong friends. The only time he got in real trouble with Barbara was when he left the Monday after his daughter’s wedding to go hunting out west. Luckily he brought home an antelope that hung in every home they had. Bob also became quite the salsa maker during his retirement. Often making salsa from the tomatoes in his garden. His salsa was highly sought after and will be missed by everyone in his family.

As an avid University of Kentucky fan, Bob and Barbara also traveled the country with The Big Blue Nation watching the Wildcats play basketball. His grandchildren knew the only time they needed to be quiet was during a Kentucky basketball game. They also knew to keep a safe distance from him should he get mad at the coaching staff or players. Most recently, however, he was very vocal about how he didn’t even like watching such a horrible Kentucky team and how he couldn’t stand what college sports has turned into. We weren’t fooled; we all know he still bleeds blue.

Aside from his wife and daughters, Bob’s greatest joys in life were children. Namely his four grandchildren and his eight great grandchildren. But, Bob was known to engage with any child regardless of who or where they were. Bob’s face lit up whenever he was around children and would engage in story telling and jokes whenever he had the chance. He had a genuine interest in what was going on in their lives and always made children feel like they were seen and loved.

Most recently, Bob found a new love in farming. He, along with his daughter and son-in-law (Marcia and Jim), bought a 20 acre farm and created a family compound where they were raising chickens, goats, and cattle. Bob spent his days busying himself in the garden and finding ways to fight off anything that threatened his crops. 

Bob is survived by his daughters Marcia Thompson (Jim) and Melinda King (Tom); his grandchildren Lindsay Ross (John), Carleton Haack (Mallory), Cory Cook (Kinsey), and Bo Cook (Morgan); great grandchildren John and Charlotte Ross; Griffin and Carleton Haack; Breck, Brennen, and Jack Cook; and Cooper Cook. 

Bob is preceded in death and welcomed home by his parents Homer and Ruth Portman, his brother and sister-in-law Bill and Helen Portman, and his beloved wife Barbara Portman. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made “In Honor of Bob Portman” to Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org) or Gary Sinise Foundation (www.garysinisefoundation.org). 

A graveside service will be held Friday, July 24, 2026 at Destin Memorial Cemetery, 122 Siebert Avenue, Destin, Florida beginning at 12:00 p.m. Military honors will be provided by the United States Navy.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of Bonifay.