Robert “Bob” Charles Stakely
Robert “Bob” Charles Stakely, a beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away at the age of 90 on February 7, 2025.
He was a longtime residential builder and co-developer of Mill Run in Ooltewah.
Bob was born April 3, 1934, in Monroe County, Tn., the third of nine children to the late John Howard and Ocie Mae Watson Stakely. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Margaret Stakely on July 5, 2024, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond E. and Beverly Stakely, Charles J. Stakely, James L. and Shirley Stakely, Melvin Stakely, brothers-in-law, James Davis, Joe McMahan, and parents-in-law, William and Gladys Dougal.
After graduating in 1952 from Central High School, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed near the seaside town of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, England. There Bob met his future bride, Margaret Dougal, on a blind date at The Samson and Hercules dance hall. Bob and Margaret married in 1956 and moved to Chattanooga to be near Bob’s family. Bob then graduated from the University of Chattanooga in 1963 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
Margaret and Bob started their family and eventually settled in Ooltewah. Bob and his brother, Raymond, developed the Mill Run neighborhood. In 1979, a front-page article in the Chattanooga News-Free Press, outlined the beginning of Mill Run and how important it was to the development of Ooltewah more than 40 years ago. At the time, Ooltewah was a rural community with one stoplight, a gas station, and a red barn with horses in the pasture where Life Care now stands. Today, Mill Run remains a desirable community, where Margaret and Bob raised their family and lived for over 45 years.
Bob is survived by his three children: Kay Stakely Goodgame (Greg), Jill Stakely McCain (David), both of Signal Mountain, Tenn., and Robert C. Stakely II (Nora), of Richmond, Ky. Bob is also survived by his grandchildren, Fraser Goodgame, Mae Goodgame, Ellie McCain Holmes (Mark), Tess McCain, and Elizabeth Stakely as well as brother Mitchell Stakely, sisters Melgena S. Davis, Glenda S. Defriese, Vivian S. McMahan, and sisters-in-law Darlene Stakely and Joyce G. Stakely, plus numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank dear family and friends for their love and support. Additional blessings of gratitude to Patricia Land, owner of AWA Sitters Service, Sharon Jackson, Melissa Green, Hearth Hospice, and Amanda Sutherland for the wonderful care these ladies provided to Bob.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, in the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404 with Rev. Kat Chappell officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Hearth Hospice: https://www.hearthhospice.com/make_a_donation.php
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.