Robert “Bobbay” James Townes, I, was born to James and Merriel Townes on January 23, 1943. The only child of the Townes’ born in Cleveland, OH at St. Luke’s Hospital.
Known as Bobby throughout his youth, his family moved to Maple Heights, Ohio when he was 9 years old.
Bobby graduated from Maple Heights High School in 1962. He lived an adventurous young adulthood which resulted in him having a 5 year stay at Mansfield Correctional Facility where he was trained to be a barber, a trade that he used for over 40 years. He returned to Cleveland, OH in 1970. He was proud to acknowledge that he never went back to prison. He then worked for Dan Dee Lays as a driver operator from 1973-1982. As a visionary he opened “Aspirin…Aid for the Head” on Buckeye Road, a paraphernalia store that he owned from 1982-1986. He owned Narcissist barbershop in Oakwood Village. It was the first Black owned barbershop in Oakwood Village. It closed in 2000.
He followed his passion after retiring from being a barber and started New Creation Construction. He retired from his carpentry business in 2005. He loved African garments and artifacts, he sold these items in his barbershop. He was an avid reader of historical texts and suspense novels, he loved a good movie/show, he loved to laugh, he loved music and soul food. He enjoyed spending time with his cousins and his classmates when they’d get together once a month.
Bobby married Gwen and they had two children: Robert (Jody) and Tanya. Bobby married Gail in 1978 and they had two children: Atoi and Ariel. He also gained two bonus daughters: Ashley and Aisia from that union. In 1996 he married Laura and gained three bonus daughters: Rachael, Rebecca, and Renee. They blended their family and developed a strong bond for their children with God at the center of it. Their blended family and union welcomed grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He accepted Christ in 1994 and was an integral part of Living Water Church of Revival ministry with his wife, Laura. He was a praying man, and his love of Christ was consistently present.
We miss you Pops!!!