Reverend Dr. Robert S. Bullock Jr.

With a mixture of sorrow, joy and love, comes the announcement of Reverend Dr. Robert S. Bullock Jr.'s passing from this earthly realm to become a permanent resident of the eternal realms. Dr. Bob, as he preferred to be known, will be forever missed and known for his quick wit, contagious laughter and selfless care for others. On June 29, 2023, Bob passed away peacefully at his home in La Marque, Texas, where he succumbed to complications from Parkinson's disease.

Bob was born March 29, 1950 in Alamagordo, New Mexico. Shortly there after his family moved to Deming New Mexico where he was raised until graduating from Deming High School where he excelled in theatre, drumming in the marching band and playing clarinet. Though having received a music scholarship at a leading university, Bob decided he wanted to pursue law and enrolled at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. And it is there, one evening while taking a leisurely stroll through the campus , where Bob got the call from the Lord to go into ministry. He played a big part in the "Jesus Movement" in the early 70's actively sharing the word and directing inner city ministry at the 'Sign of the Fish' Christian coffeehouse. Soon after, Bob enrolled in Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield Il where he received his Master of Divinity degree.  Later he went on to earn his Doctor of Ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Bob's first church was in Valentine Texas where he pastored in the Community church there. In total, he served on the pastoral staff either as an interim, associate or Senior pastor for eleven different congregations over a 47 year span within Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia, with West Isle Presbyterian church in Galveston Texas  being his last. And within that time, God had a few changes for Bob by way of denominations. Having been first ordained in the Baptist church, eventually he switched to Presbyterian and having grown up in the Methodist church, he quickly acquired the title of a "Methobapterian"...

Having also been raised a great deal of his life on a ranch tending to horses and other duties, Bob was by far a 'Gentleman's Gentleman Cowboy" with a never ending supply of Lucchese Boots that he proudly wore under his robe. In his last congregation on Galveston Island, the boots went on to accommodate his khakis, as the laid back lifestyle of "Galveston Time" gave way to a more relaxed and COOLER way of dress, to say the least.  Of the many accomplishments Bob played host to by  God's grace,  his most notable involvement was with the Cursillo Lay Renewal Movement and the start of a new denomination called the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians,

(ECO) for short. Cursillo, which stands for 'Short Course in Christianity' was a nation wide, if not world wide Spirit led movement that allowed Christians to better connect with their faith, family and duty through Piety, Study and Action enhancing a closer obedient walk with the Lord. Bob assisted  in the growth of that movement in several church's. With ECO Bob served as the Executive Director of the East being the liaison for church's within his region to begin the process of transitioning to an ECO church. Through ECO he was also commissioned to help several church's work through conflict as he was a gifted mediator and Spiritual Director who could bring the church together despite their differences.
Overall Bobs ministry was given to restoration of the church to an organic, first-century expression. His love for history, theology, patriotism and the arts were evident in his ministry and his life.    He was also the most kind and often jokester to friend and stranger alike. Those who knew him best will remember Bob for his steadfast love for Jesus, his mentoring others in the centrality of Christ in their lives and in a spontaneous experience of church life.

Bob was preceded in death by  his father Robert S. Bullock Sr, mother RoJean Franks Cottle and step-father Robert E. Cottle,  and sister Marilyn Offutt. He is survived by his loving wife Beth Martin Bullock, children Zachary Bullock (Maria M), Chris Bullock, Anna Cochran (Josh), Sean Carlisle (Holly), and Meredith Walker, grandchildren  Claire, Julianna, and Mary Ella Cochran, Trinity and Trent Carlisle and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 15 at 11:00 with a reception to follow at Carnes Brothers Funeral Home, 1201 23rd. St, Galveston Texas. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Bob's memory to West Isle Presbyterian Church.