Robert Hope (Bob) Hulsey passed away March 15 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A long-time resident of Decatur, GA, Bob was moved to Gardens of Roswell memory care facility in July of 2015, when caring for him at home was no longer possible.
Bob was born on June 29, 1931, to Hope and Ruby Hulsey of Douglas, GA. He attended Douglas City Schools where he lettered in both track and football. Bob was President of his high school’s junior class and Vice-President of the senior class. In 1950, immediately following high school, Bob enlisted in the Air Force, in which he served for four years. While in basic training in Gulf Port, Mississippi, Bob received a letter from the Douglas draft board informing him that he had been drafted, and requiring him to report for duty. He returned the letter to the draft board with the postscript, “Not interested. PFC Robert Hulsey.” His military service allowed him to attend Southern Tech on the GI bill, where he studied Mechanical Engineering.
Bob worked for 50 years in mechanical engineering in Atlanta before retiring. He reared three children with his first wife Patricia Moore Hulsey (of Gulf Port), was an active volunteer in Boy Scouts and the Baptist church, and was also a Mason. He held an enduring interest in his home town, and maintained a subscription to the Douglas Enterprise into his 80s.
Bob was predeceased by his first wife Pat, their daughter Janet and eldest son David. He is survived by his wife of 34 years Martha Griffin Hulsey (also born in Douglas), who resides with her children and grandchildren in Northern Virginia; his son Michael of Cleveland, GA; his sister Janice Hulsey Matthews of Fitzgerald, GA; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Bob was a devoted husband, father, stepfather and grandfather. His good humor and ready wit will be missed.
Visitation will be held at Sims Funeral Home in Douglas, Georgia at 2:00pm Saturday, March 19. A graveside service will follow at 4:00pm at Douglas City Cemetery.