Robert David Jeffers

Robert "Bob" Jeffers passed away in the early morning Sunday, May 26, 2019. Bob's long goodbye ended peacefully at home in Beaverton with family.
Bob was born in Jacksonville, Florida, the only child to Charles "Jack" and Rubye (Crews) Jeffers in August 1932. Bobby, back then, and cousins Jacqueline "Jackie" Martin and Robbie Clark were more like siblings.  He spent his youth in Jacksonville playing sports, swimming and listening to The Grand Ole Opry with his grandfather. Bob took lessons and learned to play the steel guitar at an early age.  After graduation from Andrew Jackson High, Bob enlisted with the Navy. Between 1951-1955 he was stationed in San Diego and Japan while assigned with the "Seabees".
Returning to Jacksonville, Bob was interested in becoming a pilot but unable to afford pilot school.  He went to Jr. college for a year before getting a job loading and refueling places with National Airlines.  As the airline expanded west, Bob took new positions, including a brief stay in Daytona Beach, before landing in San Francisco in 1961. 
The San Francisco airport is where he met the love of his life, Donna Gephart of Portland, Oregon, ticket agent for Air West Airlines.  Upon first sight he said to himself, "I'm going to marry that girl someday."  And he did! They married in January of 1963 at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Beaverton.  The newlyweds honeymooned in Hawaii. Their first child, Valerie, came in March of 1965 followed by Mark in May of 1968.
In 1971, Bob embarked on a new career in insurance and moved the family to Beaverton to be closer to Donna's family.  Initially working with Allstate Insurance, Bob eventually went independent and opened Bob Jeffers Insurance Agency retiring in January 2002.
A devoted husband and father, Bob enjoyed being with his family, cross country skiing, Volkswalks, and traveling the Oregon coast.  The Hawaiian Islands was a favorite vacation destination. Bob and Donna celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Maui with their children and grandchildren.  Bob and Donna have also traveled to the Virgin Islands, British West Indies, England, France, Netherlands, Mexico and Alaska. Both even visited Japan where they saw the great Buddha at Kamakura - but at different times - Bob while in the Navy and Donna with an airline tour in 1961. 
Bob maintained friendships with high school friends in Florida.  He and Donna attended many class reunions over the years; once cruising to the Lesser Antilles , and last attending their 60th reunion in 2011.
Bob also loved classic country music and playing his steel guitar.  George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson were among his favorite musicians.  Bob was thrilled to have met George Jones and Slim Whitman in person. 
Bob's memberships and affiliations included the Masons in California, an Elder at Centerville Presbyterian Church of Fremont CA, and Beaverton Chamber of Commerce.
Bob is survived by his wife of 56 years; Donna, their two children; Valerie and Mark, and Bobby Jr. from a previous marriage, along with his four grandchildren; Alex, Samantha, Scott and Justin, and cousin Robbie Clark of Jacksonville, Florida.
A viewing will be held at Riverview Abbey, 0319 SW Taylors Ferry Rd, Portland between 9:30am-4:30pm on Sunday, June 2.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks you donate to Providence Hospice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert David Jeffers, please visit our floral store.