Robert “Bob” Pilon Burson was born at home on May 27, 1940 in Burbank, California to Pilon Bridges Burson and Renolda Fadella Cowart. He was called home by the Lord on May 2, 2018. He went peacefully at home with his family around him just like he wanted.
He grew up in Reno where he attended school. He was a little rebellious and in 2nd grade he and a friend hopped a train to Carson City. Around 15 yrs. old he developed a passion for gold mining and geology from his step dad Clyde “Curley” Miller. The family enjoyed many summers at the cabin he and Curley built at the Wild Rose Mine. He was a rock hound and his yard is full of his treasures.
In 1960 he married Loretta Coombs and had two amazing children; Clyde Coral “Corey” and Marie LaVon. Bob worked at various jobs in Reno in the food industry, including the Mapes Hotel where he worked as Head Waiter and Room Service Captain. He met and served all the glamorous stars that stayed there.
This is where he (now divorced) met the love of his life Roylene Carol Stephens. According to him it was “love at first sight” and when he told her he was going to marry her she thought he was crazy.
He got the girl as they married on August 21, 1965 and enjoyed 52 years of wedded bliss. After moving to Los Angeles, they had a beautiful little girl named Cynthia “Cindy” Denise in 1970.
He had several interesting careers over the next several decades. He was Production Manager at Hollywood Plastics in Los Angeles for years.
After moving his family back to Reno, he built slot machines for Bally Distributing then moved up to slot tech. After several years as Slot Manager at the King of Clubs in Reno, he entered into management for a few years with Wild West Enterprises and relocated to Winnemucca to open the New Star Casino.
Later on he became a traveling slot Tech for IGT and serviced the rural towns of Northern Nevada for several years. Tired of traveling, he acquired a job at R Supply and was a salesperson for years and loved working with contractors and the public.
Finally his last gig was at C.B. Brown’s True Value Hardware where he retired from. He so enjoyed helping families plan their projects. He always had candy in his pocket for the kids and a joke for the parents. He even spoke “Womanese” which helped decipher the language the gals used when they explained the objects their husbands had told them to purchase.
He definitely brightened up any room he was in. His love for his family was second to none. He was the best Husband and Dad in the world.
He was preceded in death by his parents Pilon and “Nolda” Burson and infant son Robert Burson Jr. He is survived by his loving wife, Carol; his sister Peggy Fredrick; his children: Corey (Shannon) Burson, Marie (Elliot) Morris, and Cindy (Charles) Vaughan; his Grandchildren: Heather, Crystal, Dillon, Colby, Little Bob; his Great-Grandchildren: Christian, Ethan, Brayton, Jaxxon, and Juliette.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. The family is grateful and wants to thank the following who participated in Bob’s care: Dr. Li and staff, the Ambulance Corp., Genesis personnel Abby, Victoria, and Jessica and Cindy with Humboldt Volunteer Hospice, and the members of Grass Valley Baptist Church who prayed for us.
