Joseph Robert "Bob" Feeley, born in Santa Barbara, CA, April 12, 1933, to Joseph Francis Feeley and Mary Elizabeth Daly, died at the age of 73 on December 21, 2006, at the Lompoc Convalescent Care Center.

Bob moved to Lompoc at a young age and enjoyed growing up in a large, loving, and loud extended Irish family. He graduated from Lompoc High School in 1952 as senior class president. He also excelled in football, track and boxing. He won the Tom Dean Blocking Award in football for two years and was also the middleweight boxing champion. He was honored with the outstanding athlete award from the Lompoc Alumni Association at his 50-year class reunion.

Upon graduation, he was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Germany for 2 years. When he returned to Lompoc, he found and married his very own "redhead" Darlene Adele Savocool. They proceeded to have 5 children of their own but also helped raise many more as their door was always open to anyone in need. Bob owned and operated the Texaco and U-Haul Station in Lompoc for many years. When the station was closed, he went to work for the City of Lompoc where he retired nine years later.

Bob enjoyed family camping trips and always made time to find a church to attend while on vacation as he had a strong faith and was a devoted Catholic. As an avid sports fan, he always supported his younger brothers, his children, and especially his grandchildren in many different sports activities. In recent years he looked forward to watching his nephew AJ on TV as a NFL quarterback. He also liked to go for rides in the country and explore old roads and unusual places. He will be fondly remembered as "The Grizz" for the grumpy, tenderhearted man he was. His loving "growl" will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Darlene, daughters (and spouses) Erin Holt (Jeffrey) and Colleen Leslie (Keith), sons, Paul and Peter Feeley, a special niece, Kerri White, three brothers (and sisters-in-law), James and Sharan Feeley, Bill and Linda Feeley, and John and Tina Feeley, grandchildren, Von, Max and Sam Holt, Kevin Feeley, Garrett Padget, and Christine Feeley, a step-granddaughter, Ashley Leslie, and one great-grandson, Joseph Antony. He was preceded in death by both parents and a beloved daughter Nell Christine (whom he's hugging right now).

Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 27, from 4 to 8 PM, with a rosary at 7 PM at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. Mass will be held at 10 AM on Thursday, December 28, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with graveside services to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Repair Huyck Stadium Fund at LHS, 664 North H St., Lompoc, CA 93436.