McMinnville resident and Warren County native Bobby Gary Southard Sr., 79, was born Sept. 23, 1931 and died unexpectedly April 28 at St. Thomas Hospital in Nashville. 
A former McMinnville Chief of Police and member of Westwood Church of Christ, he was the son of the late William and Mary Elizabeth Ferguson Southard. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Cheryl Freeman and Angela Fults; sister, Christine Kelsey and four brothers, Jack, Johnny, Beecher and Freeland. 
He was married June 10, 1977 to Alene Hoover Southard of McMinnville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Bobby G. and Sylvia Southard Jr., of McMinnville and Bucky and Ellen Southard of Smithville; stepdaughter and step-son-in-law, Donna Jean and Stanley Quattlebaum of Conway, Ark.; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today in High’s Chapel with Coy Hathcock officiating. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory with full military honors administered by the VFW Post 5064 and American Legion Post 173. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until time of service today at High’s.
High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Southern Standard
(McMinnville, Tenn.) May 1, 2011