Bob Marrs

 

Bob Marrs
Bob Marrs

Bob Marrs, 94, of Amarillo, TX passed away on February 23, 2022.

Services will be at 11:00 A.M., Monday, February 28, 2022, at Comanche Trail Church of Christ. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Bob was born near Delaware, Oklahoma in 1927, to Ed Marrs and Jenny Kirk Marrs. He grew up riding horses and working cattle with his Dad on the family farm. Later, he worked as a cowboy throughout the southwest and on the following ranches: The Ewing Halsall ranches of Lenapah, Oklahoma and Muleshoe, Texas; the Waggoner ranches of Vernon, Texas and Mosquero, New Mexico; the WV ranch of Slegiman, Arizona; the Rudineck Land and Cattle Company of Bakersfield and Weldon, California; and the M.T. Johnson ranch of Alanreed, Texas. If you asked Bob what were some of his fondest memories, he would say cowboy’n, working with cowboys all across the country that became his good friends and all the horses that he rode along the way.

In 1945, while working in California, he went into the Army and Infantry training at Camp Roberts near Pasa Robles, California. World War II ended in Japan just before he finished basic training. Bob was in Italy a little over a year before he was discharged.

In January of 1947, Betty Lucas and Bob were married. Betty was a beautiful girl, a niece of a cowboy that Bob had worked with on the Ewing Halsall Mashed O ranch in Muleshoe, Texas. They moved to a camp on the Waggoner ranch of Vernon, Texas, and worked at the McDuff Camp on the east side of the ranch and later moved to the Whiteface Headquarters near Electra.

Bob had the opportunity to attend a night school for veterans at a saddle shop in Vernon, Texas. He learned a lot about working with leather, but not saddle making. Later, he worked in several well­known saddle shops and learned from many good saddle makers. During this time, Bob and Betty had two beautiful daughters, Kathy and Debby.

In 1951, they moved to Amarillo and briefly worked for the “Stockman’s Boot and Saddle Shop.” They went back to cowboy’n at a camp on the M.T. Johnson ranch near Alanreed, Texas. After nine months, Bob had an offer from Cotton Harvey, owner of the Stockman’s Boot and Saddle Shop to come back to work. Bob and Betty bought the saddle shop in August of 1954 and changed the business name to Bob Marrs Stockman’s Saddle Shop of Amarillo, Texas.

Although Bob made saddles for people nationwide, the working cowboys and cowgirls were the customers that built the foundation of his business. All the while, Betty worked in the saddle shop helping Bob meet the needs of their customers and enjoyed raising the family that includes three beautiful granddaughters: Shelly, Angela and Amy. Together they built a successful business for 62 years and a story-book marriage for over 72 years.

The following honors were awarded to Bob over the years:

1996: Will Rogers Academy of Western Art, “Saddle Maker of the Year”, Fort Worth, Texas

1999: Will Rogers Range Riders, “Western Heritage Award”, Amarillo, Texas

2000: Big Bend Museum, “Trappings of Texas Western Heritage Award”, Alpine, Texas

2001: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, “Chester A Reynolds Great Western Award”,  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

2006: Will Rogers Academy of Western Art, Life Time Achievement “Don King Saddle Making Award”, Fort Worth, Texas

Bob and Betty had two beautiful daughters, Kathy and David Norris, of Amarillo, TX, and Debby and Michael David, of McKinney, TX; and three beautiful granddaughters, Shelly and Jeremy McWilliams, of Dallas, TX, Amy Sheets-Chavez and Pedro Chavez, of Astoria, NY, and Angela Vassallo, of Los Angelas, CA. Preceded in death by all of Bob’s family except two sisters, Geneva Marrs, of Daytona Beach, FL, and Virginia Temple, of Payson, UT.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M., Sunday, February 27, 2022, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home.  The family requests that you please wear a mask.

Memorial donations will be welcomed by the High Plains Children’s Home, P.O. Box 7448, Amarillo, TX 79114.

Use this link to view the video tribute: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mUXXpd5SjwOxfY0AkQIU-ztrnFx6VtO6/view?usp=sharing

22 Replies to “Bob Marrs”

  1. Dear Betty, Kathy, and Debby, We are very sorry about the passing of Bob. We just learned of his passing when we saw the memorials in the High Plains Children’s Home Spring booklet. We have lived in Ohio for 32 years and don’t get a lot of information from “home” anymore. How well I remember all of you back in the days at Southwest, I remember several occasions on which several of us, mostly likely Don Barnett, Jerry, Ronnie, and I, rode your horses out on your spread. Bob was indeed a craftsman, a fine gentleman, and a fine Christian man. The world certainly lost a great man. May God strengthen, comfort, and bless all of you richly. In Christian love, Robert and Jana Blythe.

  2. I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Marr’s passing. I had the pleasure to get to know him briefly when I found that a saddle that I had, turned out to be the first saddle order made by Mr. Marrs on August 3, 1954 the day after he bought the Stockman’s Saddle Shop. Nolan Maupin of the LS Ranch placed the order and I wound up in 2006 with the saddle when I purchased a horse while living in Amarillo. Mr. Marrs was so happy when he saw it, and was kind enough to write me a letter of authentication as well as the original invoice and I heard the most amazing story from Mr. Marrs himself. He received $160 for that saddle. I enjoyed meeting him so much, and we talked several more times. A great man is gone. A man who could make friends instantly with strangers. He left more than a mark on the world, he will be missed. Deepest condolences to his family.

  3. We are so sorry to hear this news, and not in time to attend the funeral.
    I remember Bob from when I was just young and he hired and helped my Daddy become a great saddle maker as well. Bob and Betty also attended when we buried Daddy almost 24 years ago.

  4. I loved Bob & Betty Marrs. When they came to Woodward OK for Bob to work at my Dads Saddle Shop, they were the sweetest couple ever. My Dad was Thad Leachman & he thought the world of Bob. So glad Don & I went to visit them a few years back. I remember when the girls were real young. Heaven gained a real Angel.

  5. We only knew Bob a sort time but the blessing of knowing him will last our lifetimes. He was a wonderful husband, father, and human being whose kindness and strength of character will be missed. Our prayers are with the Marrs family.

  6. Every Tuesday I would go with my Dad to Amarillo Livestock Auction to the sale. Many a tuesday on the way home, we stopped at Bobs and Dad would pick up manila ropes, get Bob to put a stitch in a head stall or some such repair. Dad had two saddles made there and had a kid saddle made for me as a youngster. My 16th birthday gift was a new rough out Bob Marrs saddle. We still have them all. Bob was a heck of a “good guy” and I consider he and Betty good friends. They taught me how to treat others. He was a person we always admired and still ride his saddles. So, with much respect and gratitude…..

  7. Bob, Betty and the girls were dear family friends. Bob and Betty were shining examples of what a true Christian marriage looks like. They hosted our wedding shower and Debby was one of our bridesmaids in 1969. Louis and I will be forever grateful for their love and support. Thank you and Bob, may rest peacefully in the arms of Jesus.

  8. My father Carl Henley of McLean, Tx bought one of Bob’s saddles in 1957. My son now has it and uses it to this day. Bob was one of, if not the Best Saddle makers in the World and a great Cowboy as well. God Bless his family.

  9. What an awesome man he was. He will be missed by lots of people and especially us cowboys. Very gifted saddle maker and western painter. So sorry for your loss. Prayers to the family. God received a great angel.

  10. Bob was one of the finest men I’ve ever known. Together, he and Betty taught countless people what it meant to have integrity in business, loyalty in friendships, and love in a Christian home. He will be greatly missed. Love to Betty and their family.

  11. I just learned last night that Bob Marrs had “crossed the divide.” I was privileged to get to know him about 2010 when he donated to Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum not only a saddle he had built for himself, but also a Landis stitcher he used for many years building saddles. The stitcher stands today in the PPHSM harness and saddle shop in Pioneer Town. So, the museum in Canyon has “Bob Marrs’s new Bob Marrs saddle” In 2020, Bob and Betty donated his cowboying saddle and cowboying rig to the National Cowboy Museum as they are both proud Oklahomans. Our friendship continued over the years and he (and Betty) were always generous with their time and knowledge of saddlemaking and how to treat others. He was a gentleman of the old code. I am a better man for having known Bob Marrs. He made a difference in this world. Many a cowboy has ridden or is riding a Bob Marrs saddle. “Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Matthew 25:21.
    With great respect, gratitude, and love.

  12. I remember visiting Bobs saddle shop on 3 rd with my dad when I was a kid. My late husband Bedford knew Bob very well and we visited Bobs also. Bob was such an upstanding man and will be missed but I’m sure the angels gave a huge shout out and welcomed him.

    Reva Odom Forrest

    1. Bobby Dean – I knew him Sunrise Lion’s Club and also his saddle shop. I remember him to be a brilliant saddle maker. I also remember him as a sweet and gentle man. I’ve thought of him through the years but have not seen him. May the angels open the gates for him. Bobby D. Dean, Sr.

  13. A true American cowboy and one of the most genuinely nice individuals you could meet. It was such a privilege to get to know Mr. Marrs and listen to his wonderful stories of the west. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for Mrs. Marrs and the entire family.

  14. Bob was a prince of a man. Kind,a gentleman a man of God. He will be missed on earth & welcomed in heaven❤️❤️
    Condolences to the family❤️❤️❤️
    .
    He built a saddle for me in 1963. It is a treasure.

  15. Bob was one of the nicest, kindest most humble men I ever knew. He made all my tack and I was proud to call him a friend for over 40 years. A true cowboy and master craftsman. Betty and family are in my thoughts.

  16. Bob was a very talented craftsman and most of all he was a kind gentleman who was friendly to everyone. He will be missed by all.

  17. Betty, Kathy & Debby; SO sorry to hear about Bob! Great guy & always willing to help. What a GREAT Christian example Bob & Betty were. Ya’ll are certainly in our thoughts & prayers. We love you. Dick & Jane

  18. Bob made the first shop-made saddle I ever had. That was in 1963. Toots Mansfield tree. In 1983 he made another one just about exactly like the first one. I still have that one. Bob was not only one of the best cowboy saddle-makers ever he was as fine a Christian man as I have ever known. Bob and Betty were a wonderful testament of Christian love and marriage. May God grant Betty the peace she deserves. Sam Brown.

  19. This breaks my heart. I am so honored and blessed that I got to meet him and sweet Betty and help care for them both. He was such a kind, caring and loving man that is already so very missed. Prayers to sweet Betty and his precious family.

  20. Mr. Marrs was always such a gentleman and what a talented one, at that. He will be missed by all. Our condolences to Betty and the family.
    Peg & Joel Schaffer, Garland, Texas

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *