Bobby Lee Ford

Bobbie Lee (Bob) Ford, born November 24, 1935, Amarillo, Texas, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025, in Georgetown, Texas. A proud “West Texas farm boy,” Bob fulfilled his dream of traveling the world while pursuing a career in architecture and engineering.

Bob graduated from Amarillo High in 1954, then attended Amarillo Junior College and Texas Tech University, earning degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering. He was an active Phi Delta Theta and Saddle Tramps. In 1960, he married Kathryn White and began his career designing campus buildings for Texas Tech. He lived briefly in Houston working on AstroWorld rides and the AstroDome.

A turning point in Bob’s life came in 1969 when he became a Christian. He later returned to Lubbock, where he started his own firm, putting Proverbs 3:16 on his business cards. He eventually moved to Austin, where he married Carolyn Tapp Waddle in 1986. Together, they built a blended family and traveled extensively. Bob specialized in designing high-tech “clean rooms” for Motorola, working across the US, Europe, and China.

In retirement, “Camp Poppy” was Bob’s pride and joy, where he made treasured memories with his 12 grandchildren. His passions included Texas Tech sports, stained glass, nutcrackers, and seeking out Texas barbecue.

Bob is survived by his wife Carolyn, five children, twelve grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held August 2 at 2 p.m. at The Wesleyan in Georgetown. Donations may be made to the Joseph “Jay” Parsley Endowed Scholarship at Texas Tech.