A true pillar of Osgood, Robert “Bobby Keith” Day, age 98 passed away on Wednesday September 8, 2021. He was born in Osgood on November 12, 1922, the son of Robert E and Virginia (Beer) Day.
Bobby Keith graduated from Osgood High School in 1941. His class was made up of 23 students, 13 boys and 10 girls. He was the last surviving boy of the class. Upon completion of high school, he was drafted into the United States Army. He served for 38 months from 1943-1946, during World War II. Bobby Keith could only serve in Limited Services; many didn’t realize but he had lost his right eye when he was only 6 years old. The military understood he was an intelligent Soldier, they enlisted him in Officer Training in Northern Georgia. He could vividly remember the 82nd Airborne training, he enjoyed watching them jump from the planes. He was doing well in Officer Training; however, he was required to test on Chemistry. He explained coming from Osgood, he wasn’t completely clear how to spell chemistry, let alone have any knowledge. It wasn’t part of the 1941 curriculum in Osgood. He was then moved to Alabama, where he helped guard German prisoners of war. He said, he helped them learn English, and they helped to teach him some German.
Upon completion of his service, he of course returned to Osgood. He recalled riding the train thru Osgood and not being able to be let out, he had to return to Camp Atterbury to complete his service. The military dropped him off in front of Triplett’s drugstore. Mr. Triplett came out and said welcome home, loaded his suitcase and drove him to Elm Street. He lived on Elm Street for over 95 years. Bobbie Keith went to work for the United States Postal Service. He retired from there in 1976 after 30 years. He loved working in his hometown, waiting on friends and neighbors.
In January of 1968, he married the love of his life Wilma Lucille Moody. He lost Wilma in 2015. He joined the Osgood American Legion in 1946, this year marked his 75th year of membership. Bobby Keith served as Superintendent of the Osgood Christian Church Sunday School, Secretary/Treasure of the Osgood Civic Club, and President of the Osgood Savings and Loan.
His knowledge of the Town of Osgood was unsurpassed, he knew basically every business since 1925 in this town, every street, where most families lived or where they moved to. He was so proud to be an “Osgoodian.” In life you get opportunities to meet numerous people, few will be the caliber of Robert Day. He kept albums of events in Osgood over the past years, they have been donated to the Osgood Museum, good chance if you ever had your picture in the paper, Bobbie Keith kept it. They are on display now.
He is survived by sister Lila Bogie of North Myrtle Beach, SC, brother Carl (Georgia) Day of Sun Lakes, AZ, nieces Jane Cochran of Little River, SC and Debbie Young of Greensburg, nephew Robert L Day of Berkeley, CA, and great nieces Cameron Cochran and Deanna Burkhart. He wished to give special thanks to good friends, Ruth Prickett, Lois Lunsford, Sherry Campbell, the Davis family, Tom and Sherry Grubbs, Irma Wade, Buckeye Village, and the staff of Manderley Health Care.
Visitation will be held on Sunday September 12, 2021, from 3-5 pm. at Neal’s Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 5 pm., beginning with Military Services. Burial will be held on Tuesday September 14, 2021, at 10 am. in Cliff Hill Cemetery. His request was in lieu of flowers memorials be given to the Osgood American Legion. Online condolences can be placed at Nealsfuneralhome.net