Bobby Luke Dolinger

Bobby “Bob” Luke Dolinger, age 90, passed away Thursday, April 27th, 2023 at The Berkeley Assisted Living in Morganton, NC.

Bobby Luke Dolinger was A-Plus Plus. Anyone that knew Bob knows exactly what that means. For those who may not know why this is - if Bob encountered a good thing - usually a job well done or a new tool or something or someone he really liked, Bob always referred to it or them as A-plus plus.   

Bob Dolinger was born to Dewey Dolinger and Jesse Rose Dolinger on February 17, 1933 in the Glendale Springs Hotel in Ashe County, NC. He had two sisters, Betty Dolinger Landreth (Bill) and Patsy Dolinger Murphy (Bob). Both predeceased him.

Bob married Rosalee Church November 2, 1956. When Rose passed away March 8, 2008, they had been happily married for 52 years.

Survivors include 4 nieces, JoAnn Roupe Andrews, Beth Landreth Ross, Susan Murphy Hawks (Keith), and Sandy Murphy Hamm (George). One nephew Michael Roupe (Lizabeth), several great nieces and nephews and extended family and friends also survive.

Bob proudly served his country in the US Army by enlistment in 1953 and served as a military policeman until 1955 when he was honorably discharged. Bob loved to tell the many stories of his time as an MP in the Army.

When he returned home to Sparta, Bob went to work at Hanes Corp in January 1956. He worked there as a machine mechanic until 1974. This was far from retirement for Bob. He then took jobs at M&M Wholesale as a delivery driver for 6 years, then went to work at Melville Shoe Co., and then Carolina Narrows Co. until 1986. His last public job was as a security officer at Bristol Compressors in Sparta.

Bob then officially retired and enjoyed much of his time gardening, and going to church. Together Bob and Rose grew and preserved a bounty from their garden and fruit trees every year.

Bob joined New Hope Church more than 50 years ago and served the church as a Deacon for many years. Bob and Rose faithfully attended and loved their church family.

Although Bob and Rose had no children of their own, they loved their all their nieces and nephew as if they were their own. Zak lived next door to Bob and Rose during his childhood years. He and Bob struck up a special bond. Bob liked having Zak come and help in the garden, in his garage and just about any other task at hand. He had a large school bell he would ring when he wanted Zak to come over, and Zak would go immediately go through the woods to see what Bob was up to. Zak fondly told his mom that Bob taught him so many invaluable things about gardening, taking care of equipment, pruning fruit trees correctly and much more. Bob and Rose will always hold a special place in his heart.

Long after his beloved wife Rose passed away Bob began going out to the Crouse House and the Alleghany Jubilee to listen to the music, talk and socialize with friends. There he met Cheri Elliott.  Their friendship was very meaningful and special to Bob and has endured for many years.

In Bob’s later years he moved into assisted living and lived there for many years. At the Berkeley Bob transitioned into a warm, and caring community setting and seemed be happy and content in his later years.

Bob lived his daily life close to the Lord.  

He will be missed and remembered fondly by his family and friends as A - Plus Plus.  

Memorial Services to honor the life of Bob will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 in the chapel of Thomas Family Funeral Service.  Inurnment will follow at Sparta Cemetery.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Thomas Family Funeral Service is honored to be serving the Dolinger Family.  If you wish, online tributes may be extended to the family at www.thomasfamilyfs.com.

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