Robert Irby "Bob" Didier Jr.

Published in The Advocate from February 12 to February 14, 2011

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7.

Robert "Bob" Irby Didier Jr., 92, went to meet his Savior on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011, at 5:40 p.m. A native of Marksville, he was born Sept. 14, 1918. The family moved to Baton Rouge in 1936.

He was a longtime resident of Baton Rouge. He was a veteran of World War II and received a Purple Heart Medal, having been wounded and captured during the Italian Campaign, and held as a POW. He graduated from Marksville High School and attended LSU in Baton Rouge.

Bob followed in his father's footsteps in a successful banking career, serving that industry for 40 years, progressing from a runner to president and retiring as executive vice president of the Louisiana Bankers Association.

Prior to his commitment to the armed forces, Bob played professional baseball as a catcher. He was owned by the Memphis Chicks of the Southern Association League. Because of his wounds sustained in World War II, he was unable to continue in that career; however, he did participate in semi-pro baseball in the Baton Rouge area.

He was an excellent golfer, winning many tournaments and enjoyed teaching golf to others. He was also an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing all through his life with his father, brothers, nephews and friends.

He served the community through his many civic and philanthropic associations, including FFA (Future Farmers of America), for which he was awarded an honorary degree for outstanding services.

He was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Rotary International, the Louisiana School of Banking of the South and was also active in the Louisiana Association Conservation Districts.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 15 years, Joyce Odom Didier; four stepchildren, Jack C. Odom Jr., of Minneapolis, Dale Odom, of Baton Rouge, Mark Odom and wife Melissa, of Covington, and Carol Odom Essick, of Branson, Mo.; four stepgrandchildren, Micah and Morgan Odom, both of Covington, and Cameron and Calli Essick, both of Branson; two brothers, Melvin Didier Sr. and wife Elena, of Phoenix, and Gerald Didier Sr. and wife Marti, of Baton Rouge; two sisters-in-law, Adene Sellers Didier, of Thibodaux, and Genevieve Judice Didier-DeWitt, of Baton Rouge; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Irby Didier Sr. and Edith Pilcher Didier; three brothers, Raymond Didier Sr., Clyde Didier Sr. and Pearce Didier Sr.; and by his first wife of 54 years, Jessie McMurray Didier.

Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 1000 Florida Blvd., will be held on Monday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. until services beginning at 2 p.m., to be conducted by the Rev. Chuck Mitchell and the Rev. Keith Zachary. Interment will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park 9595 Florida Blvd.

Pallbearers will be Jack C. Odom Jr., Dale Odom, Mark Odom, Nathan L. "Butch" Carriere Jr., Brian Didier and Clyde Didier Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Howard Reitz, Melvin Didier Sr., Gerald Didier Sr., Gerard Ruth and Ned Clark.

The family would like to thank Dr. Bryan Bienvenue and staff. Donations can be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-0050.