Robert Allen Mann

Robert Allen Mann January 31, 1931 December 6, 2008 Robert Allen Mann, 77, of Waco, Texas left this world to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 6, 2008 after a number of years of declining health. A celebration of his life in Christ will be held at 3:30 pm, Tuesday, December 9 at the First United Methodist Church of Waco with Rev. Stephen Ramsdell officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 10 at the Magnolia Cemetery, Woodville, Texas. Visitation with the family will be 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Monday, December 8 in the Garden Room at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Robert was born on January 31, 1931 to David Perry and Hattie Barclay Mann. Robert and his brother, David P. Mann, Jr., were raised in the southeast Texas town of Woodville where they attended primary school and enjoyed boyhoods of hunting and outdoor activities. Robert later went on to earn his Eagle Scout award and proudly loved and supported Boy Scouts of America his entire life. Robert attended Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri where he received his high school diploma. He then went on to spend a semester at the University of Texas and ultimately graduated from Southern Methodist University at the age of 19 with a bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Banking and Finance. Robert served and completed a tour of military duty in the United States Air Force and, upon his honorable discharge, became a bank examiner for the state of Texas. He then began his banking career as an employee of Citizens State Bank of Woodville where his father was president and his grandfather had been an officer. Robert served for over 35 years as Chairman of the Board of Citizens State Bank of Woodville now with branches in Marlin, Spurger and Warren. In December of 1969, Robert moved his family and business operations to Waco as part of his purchase of control of First National Bank, Waco and became a part of the Central Texas business community. He was an active banker and entrepreneur, having interests not only in banking, but also real estate and broadcast television, having founded KXXV-TV, Channel 25 in 1984. He was a Chairman of the Board of United Bankers and also served as a Director of First Financial Corp., Westview National Bank, and United Bank of Waco. He was a Founding Director of Southeast Texas Savings and Loan Association and he was also associated with many other financial institutions. Robert was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Waco. Robert had a heart for mission outreach and through a mission organization called OMS International, Inc. he was very involved in many countries, especially India where he participated in building several churches and water wells. Robert was a member of many local civic organizations, including Caritas, Heritage Foundation, Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Historic Waco Foundation, Board of the Heart O' Texas Council of Boy Scouts of America, Waco Chamber of Commerce, Waco Business League, and Waco Downtown Rotary Club. Robert also served as a member of several statewide organizations, including the Texas Finance Commission, having been appointed by Governor John Connally, where he also served as Chairman of that Commission, and the Texas Criminal Justice and Task Force. Robert was involved in educational organizations, including serving as a director of Lamar College of Technology of Beaumont, and the Presidents Corporation Committee of Baylor University. Robert was also involved in other business and political organizations, including Economic Opportunity Advancement Corporation, Tyler County Industrial Corporation, Republican Eagles, Republican Senatorial Inner Circle, Young Presidents Organization, and World Business Council. Robert was recognized for his accomplishments, having been selected to be a member of Who's Who in America for 1988-1989 and Who's Who in Finance and Industry for 2001-2002. Robert was wed to Mary Louise Myers on October 18, 1952, in Greenville, SC and they had three 3 children, Mary Hyden, David Wake and Allen Barclay. Robert was preceded in death by his father in 1959, his mother in 1988 and his brother in 2007. Robert is survived by his former wives, Mary L. Mann and Carole Mann; daughter, Mary Hyden Mann Hunter and husband Joe; son, David W. Mann and wife Jacqueline, son, Allen B. Mann and wife Leigh, and nine 9 grandchildren, Robert A. Hunter, Julia B. Hunter Therrell and husband, Adam, George B. Hunter, Jennifer K. Mann, Rebecca J. Mann, D. Perry Mann, Patrick B. Mann, R. Stratton Mann, and Hayden D. Mann. Pallbearers will be George Hunter, Robert Hunter, Perry Mann, Stratton Mann, Adam Therrell and Lee Mann. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Baylor University, FBO The Robert A Mann Scholarship Fund; Boy Scouts of America, 300 Lake Air Dr, Waco, TX 76710; First United Methodist Church, 4901 Cobbs Dr, Waco, TX. 76714; OMS International, P. O. Box A, Greenwood, IN 46142-6599. The Mann Family would like to particularly thank Dede Eastland, Renee Jefferson and the staff and owners of Heart and Home for their loving care and support over the past few years. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey