Bobby Joseph Barger

Bobby Joseph "Bob" Barger, Sr., died October 20, 2026, in Gaston County, NC. He was born in Lincoln County, May 14, 1931, to Bryte Whiteside Barger and Coy Lawrence Barger.

Bob graduated from Lincolnton High School in 1949, where he played trombone in the band. Before joining the Army, Bob was Vice President of Eureka Iron Works, in Lincolnton.

After serving in the Army from 1952 until 1954 at Fort Lee, Virginia, Bob moved to Charlotte and graduated from Kings College, where he received his degree in Business Management and Accounting.

After graduating, he worked at Ford Motor Company, Tractor Division, as office manager and Director of Administration. From 1964 until his retirement in 1987, he worked at 4 C's Food Services as Vice President and Treasurer. He was known as "Joe" to all his business friends but was known as "Bob" by all his family and close friends. He was a member of Charlotte West Rotary for almost 26 years and was named a "Paul Harris Fellow" by the Rotary.

Some of the most wonderful years of his life were spent with his beautiful wife, Inez Williams Deal Barger. They loved to travel together, seeing 47 of the 50 states. After Inez was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Bob retired from 4 C's to take care of her. She was truly his "soul mate". Inez died in 1992.

Bob was very active in Christ Methodist Church in the Coulwood Community in Charlotte, where he served as a member of the administration board, Chairman of Pastor-Parish Relations and other offices.

He enjoyed playing bridge with friends and was in several bridge clubs with his wife, Inez. He also enjoyed ballroom dancing with Inez. He was an avid collector of Coca-Cola memorabilia and enjoyed listening to southern gospel quartet music.

In 1994, Bob moved to the Greenville, SC area, Powdersville, and married Nancy Proctor Cash. They were members of Mt. Airy Baptist Church and prior to that, were members of Powdersville First Baptist and "Friends in Christ" senior group. Bob and Nancy shared almost 17 years together until cancer took her in 2011.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brothers, Ken Lawrence Barger and Daniel W. "Danny" Barger; and sister, Sue Barger Truckley. First wife, Ellen Williams Barger Jordan; second wife, Inez Williams Deal Barger; and third wife, Nancy Proctor Cash Barger; and step-son, Scott Cash.

Survivors include his son, Bobby J. Barger (Joey), Jr and wife, Robin of Dallas, NC; step-daughter, Sandra D. Whitmire and husband, J.D., of Pawleys Island, SC; grandchildren: Chris Barger and wife Jacquelyne, of Lincolnton; Dr. Stefanie Whitmire of Asheville, NC; great granddaughters, Annabel Barger and Scarlett Vanbloom; nieces; Yuvonne Jones and Debbie Wall, along with 4 nephews, Daniel, Nelson, Adrian and Ronald Barger.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 1:30 PM, with Pastor J. Ross O’Neal officiating at Benson Funeral & Cremation Services, 101 Oak Street, Mt. Holly. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at 12:30 PM. Burial will be at Forest Lawn West, 4601 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC.

In lieu of flowers, Bob asks that donations be made to Alzheimer's Association   or to a charity of your choice.