Robert A. "Bobby" Drude

Robert “Bobby” Drude, a loving father, husband, grandfather, brother, and friend to all, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 2, 2017. Bobby believed in living life to the fullest and did until the very end. He was a lover of life and family and never met a stranger. He loved passing on his knowledge to younger generations and helping others realize and fulfill their dreams. He served three years in the Coast Guard, which he’d joined right after high school. After the Coast Guard, Bobby re-established his roots here in Ponchatoula by joining with family members and starting his first business – Drude’s Hardware, Inc. He became an avid member of the community by first joining the Jaycees and later an active member of the Lions Club, Crime stoppers, and American Legion Post 47. While running the Hardware store, Bobby developed a love of real estate and grew his small office in the back of the store into a still-thriving real estate corporation. In 1972, Bobby opened Bobby Drude Real Estate. Soon after, he became President of the Tangipahoa Board of Realtors. Bobby’s outgoing, ambitious, and caring personality brought him far in life, both personally and in his career. He loved to travel, experience new things, meet new people, and most of all he loved family and friends. Bobby’s legacy will live on in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. He will never be forgotten and will always be remembered smiling, loving life, and having the most generous heart one can be blessed with. Bobby is survived by his wife, Beverly Anne Ross Davies Drude; daughters, Laurie D. Allen (Bobby Allen); step-daughters, Cecelia McGregory, Theresa Tillotson, and Mary Jean Davies; sons, Brent Drude; step-sons, Billy Davies, and Paul Davies; brothers, Jake Drude (Mary Ellen), and David Drude; grandchildren, Kenny Barnes, and Luke Allen; great-granddaughter, Lily Barnes; as well as numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Ms. Margie Battles Drude; parents, Louise L. Drude and Carl F. Drude, Sr.; brothers, Melvin Drude, Carl Drude Jr, Alvin Drude and Raymond Drude; and sisters, Rita Walz and Carleen McClendon. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation from the chapel of Brandon G. Thompson Funeral Home, Ponchatoula, on Sunday, March 5, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Visitation will resume at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, March 6, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Cayet Mangiaracina will officiate the service with interment to follow in Parklawn Cemetery.

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Robert A. "Bobby" Drude

December 5, 1930 - March 2, 2017