Bobby "Bob" Eugene Shoemake

Bobby Eugene “Bob” Shoemake, 85, of Boone, NC passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at Watauga Medical Center after a short battle with mesothelioma. He handled this with the strength, love, and protection for his family he always gave. Even during his stays in and out of the hospital over the summer, his kindness and “bad dad jokes” endeared him to the nurses and staff who cared for him.

Bob was born on January 4, 1941, in Watauga County, NC, to Blanche Greene Shoemake and Edward Shoemake. He served in the Army where he was an MP in Korea and trainer of a german shepherd named Daego. After the Army he returned to Boone. He worked at Tweetsie helping to keep the train and rides running smoothly. He went to Western Carolina at night while working full-time and starting a family and got a degree in criminal justice. He worked for the Boone PD, the Watauga County Sheriff’s Dept., and the NC Dept. of Corrections in Boone as a program officer. He retired from the Army after serving in the National Guard as a full-time Active Guard Reserve, Sgt. First Class.

He never slowed down after retiring. He could build or fix anything. Up until this past April, he was a young 85. He could be found out in his shop making a mantel or a bookcase or anything requested with beautiful wooden designs or fixing an engine on something he or anyone else needed. He was a member of the Watauga American Legion Post #130 Honor Guards and Faith Baptist Church.

He was happiest when his children, grandchildren and great-granddaughter were around. Papaw’s Place was always the most fun place to be. He loved all his family members and friends deeply. He had a hard exterior but the most kind, gentle heart.

He is survived by his twin daughters, Keri Wiley (John), of Kannapolis, NC and Teri Shoemake of Boone, NC; son, Billy Shoemake of Boone, NC, and their mother, Betty E. Shoemake of Boone, NC; grandchildren, Holli Rhinehart of Concord, NC, twins Luke and Laci Wiley of Kannapolis, NC, Jada and Bralee Shoemake of Boone, NC, and great-granddaughter Salli Belle Rhinehart of Concord, NC, four sisters, Betty Milligan of Greenville, SC, Mary Miller of Hickory, NC, Deborah Sloan of Jackson, NJ and Patricia Shoemake of Morganton, NC, brother-in-law Walt Lewis of Boone, NC. And a special first cousin, Barbara Snyder (John), Boone, NC and nephew Jeff Winkler (Sonya), Boone, NC, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Billy D. Shoemake (Deland, FL), sister Margie Lewis (Boone, NC), brother's-in-law Kenneth Sloan (Jackson, NJ) and Ronnie Milligan (Greenville, SC).

Bob’s faith was strong and he was at peace knowing whether God healed him this side of Heaven or there, he’d be happy and praising either way, and he is.

Visitation will be on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Services will begin at 12:00 PM with interment to follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation to the Watauga American Legion Post #130 or Faith Baptist Church, Boone, NC in memory of Bobby.

Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Shoemake family. 

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