Robert McAdoo

Bob McAdoo was one of the spiritual giants who walked among us at the University of Tennessee at Martin. All the UTM sisters thought he was the Christian version of Robert Redford when it came to looks and that was high praise at that time in history. I cherish every lay witness mission memory experienced with Bob. I can still remember the joy in Bob's face at Johnson City, Tennessee when his own son Dave got touched by the Lord. Traveling on a Illinois highway to another mission, I can still hear Walter Kennon saying to Bob, "Bro Bob, there is a hitchhiker, stop and pick him up so I can see if he knows Jesus." Bob did stop and Walter was sharing the plan of salvation before the car door was shut. Experiences like that were normative with Bob and Walter. We must have traveled hundreds of miles with Bob to all those missions. What I learned from the example and witness of Bob about authentic Christianity has been ten times more valuable than what I learned in seminary. I wished I could come to Tulsa to help celebrate his life and I know that with Dr. Jimmy Buskirk helping preside at the service, it is going to be a glorious tribute to one of the choicest servants of God I ever had the privilege of knowing. Thank you Lord Jesus for this father in the faith and what he meant to me. Barry Scott

Here is a link to a tribute I wrote for Bob in my blog at Tennessean.com: http://data.tennessean.com/v2/bin/pluckTools/display/groupblog.php?blog=e5cf555f-eb37-4f6f-be41-15557e736623&plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&U=e5cf555f-eb37-4f6f-be41-15557e736623&plckPostId=Blog%3ae5cf555f-eb37-4f6f-be41-15557e736623Post%3ac3bb82fe-6b57-4006-a702-93cc50caed5e&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

I cannot begin to know how to express the impact that Bob McAdoo had upon our lives during our days UT Martin. While there was the distinctive influence that he personally had upon our lives, it is hard to think about Bob without also thinking about Jim Stone and the three Walters (Walter Kennon, Walter Gorman and Walter Bennett). I am sure Walter G, Walter K and Bob are already into some discussions about the Bible. Walter K has already put his arm around Bob and said, "I sure am glad I quit hanging on to that church membership." Walter G is smiling because he has the answers to all of those questions that he just couldn't figure out with that great intellect he had on earth. Now, Bob is just grinning from ear to ear saying it is more beautiful that he could have ever imagined. Jim and Walter B. are just counting the days until they can gather all around the throne together in a great hallelujah celebration to the King. My thanks to the McAdoo family for sharing Bob with a small band of disciples (students)at UTM. His gift of encouragement will truly be seen in the generations to come. As a family, you have our deepest prayers and sympathy for your personal loss. May you cherish the good memories and pass on to your sons and daughthers and their sons and daughters the great heritage of love, kindness, grace and faith lived before you.

John & family, Please accept my condolences from Houston TX. >dag

Dear John and Dave. My deepest sympathy to you, your families and Lynn's boys in the loss of your dad. He had a wonderful life and was well respected in Union City and the Obion County area. I know that you are proud of his accomplishments. Your family has always been and remains very special to me. I am thinking of you and I send love and warm regards. Blanche

Bob was such an inspiration and a mentor to many of us at UT Martin in the 70's. His life touched so many people. Dave, Pat, and family have my prayers and love. I know you will grieve for Bob and miss him, and I also know that his reward in heaven is going to be awesome! What a privilege to have know such a Godly man.

As Debbie Cannon Rushing said, Bob McAdoo made such an impact on the lives of a bunch of college student at the University of Tennessee at Martin that I have never forgotten it. As students, we were like most young people in their early 20's-full of enthusiasm and self-confidence. People like that don't typically overflow with admiration for older folk (that is, people over 30). However, that was not the case with me and my UTM friends. Every one of us had such great respect for Bob McAdoo as a father, businessman, and as a Christian. We all aspired to be like him. In our minds, he was undoubtedly the coolest of us all. He still is. I've told this to my wife and kids this, but I will tell them again. "When I was in college, there was a man named Bob McAdoo, and he really made a difference in my life. I wished then that I could be more like him. I still do." -- Walt Walker

Tears come to my eyes as I think of Bob and the wonderful impact he had on my life and the life of many others. Bob was, for many students at The University of Tennessee Martin, a beautiful example of a passionate, fired-up Christian. He supported and encouraged us. He invited many of us to go with him on lay witness missions and showed us how to share what Christ is doing in our lives. Bob was a friend, a counselor, and a model of following Jesus. If anyone is in Heaven, I'm confident that Bob is there. To David, Pat, and John, stay close to Jesus. This world, nowadays, needs many more people to rise up and love Jesus the way Bob did (and still does)!

Bob provided many opportunities for spiritual growth for several of us while we were in college by inviting us to participate in law witness missions. I have such fond memories of the west TN area Gideon members showing such leadership and sharing such love with our non-denominational group at the University of TN at Martin. It's often said that one never knows where your influence stops and that is well-said of Bob McAdoo. To David and Pat and John and the rest of Bob's family: In spite of knowing what's on the other side, the loss of a parent is difficult. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, as well as many others from the mid-1970's UTM bunch. Sending you a big virtual hug...Love, Debbie