Robert Lama

Robert Parker Lama, 67, of Alliance, went to heaven on Feb. 9, 2017. Waiting to greet him (and party with him) were his father, Oscar Lama; his brother, Mike Lama; his stepfather/father-in-law, William Henry; sister-in-law, Cheryl Hemphill; and beloved sister, Mary Lunsford.

Born Dec. 7, 1949, in Akron, Ohio, to Patricia and Oscar Lama, he was the oldest of six in what turned out to be a loving, crazy family. He attended Catholic grade school, graduating from Hoover High School in 1967. Joining the Navy right out of school, he was stationed aboard the USS Long Beach CGN-9, one of the first nuclear powered ships, and the first place it headed was Vietnam. He was very proud of his service to our country and thereafter the Navy always had a special place in his heart. Following his service, he attended Kent State University. He and his son, Eric, moved to the mountains of Colorado in the '70s, living in Evergreen and Indian Hills. At one point they lived in a small tent for three months until the first snowfall. And like he said, there they didn't measure the snow in inches, they measured it in feet. Colorado was his favorite place on earth.

He worked with and for his dad off and on over the years doing roofing (they put the original roof on the Pro Football Hall of Fame), installing sprinkler systems and buying and selling restaurant equipment. In later years, he repaired commercial refrigeration, at one time having his own business R.P. Lama Refrigeration. He last worked for Carl's Commercial Repair with Carl, Jamie, Ron and George. His favorite job was a maintenance man at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, where he often swam with the dolphins, which he loved.

He was Bob; he liked to smoke, drink, have fun and loved to curse. He loved the outdoors, photography, fishing and a good steak. He loved his crazy family, even through lots of Lama Drama.

Left behind to miss him are his "Ma," Patricia L. Henry; his son, Eric R. Lama (wife Stacey); his wife and soulmate, Elaine Lama; his sisters, Katherine "Kitty" Palmer, Jennifer "Megan" Cessna (husband Jim) and Patty Stevens (husband Jim); his "favorite" mother-in-law, Ida Diehl; stepmother, Donna Jean Lama; brother-in-law William Henry (wife Char); stepdaughters, Michelle "Mitzi" Coe (Stevie Sams) and her children, Roy Heller (wife Carri), Joshua Huff and Ashley Huff (Jesse Berkowitz), and great-granddaughter, Rayne Berkowitz; and Heidi McMickens (husband, Mark) and her children, Marissa and Miranda McMickens. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Elizabeth Lama Ogin (husband Charles), Eric R. Lama (wife, Brittany) and Caleb Lama. Great-grandchildren are Hadley Ogin, Aubri Lama and Kinley Lama. Nieces and nephews remaining are Danielle Wuebbles, Michael Palmer, Jamie Hopkins, David Hopkins, Colin Lunsford, Jack Lunsford, Angie Saunier, Tyrone Boykin, Allie Hunter, Shannon Miller, Amanda Dunn, Kasey Carpuso, Sarah Lama, Mary Harris, Lydia Slingluff, Kate Lama and Mathew, Jennifer, Stacy, Lindsey, Ryan and Christopher Stevens.

He was a very unique man and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Cremation has taken place and there will be no services per his wishes. Arrangements are by Dean's Funeral Home in Sebring.