Bobbie Mcmichael

Dr. Bobbie McMichael
Dr. Bobbie McMichael, of Fort Worth, TX, passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, in Grapevine, TX. He will always be remembered as a loving Husband, Father, Opa, Colleague, and Friend to all that knew and loved him. He will be dearly missed by his loved ones, many friends, and colleagues.
Bobbie Lee McMichael was born to the late Jackie Lee and Willie Ann McMichael, a land/oil leasing farmer and a homemaker, in Wilbarger County, TX.

He was raised in the Christian community that would be his life-long support from an early age. He lost his mother at the young age of 5 years old. His dad re-married and he gained two sisters and was a great big brother. Growing up in Chillicothe, TX, he enjoyed music and acting and in his sophomore year went to State in One Act Play. Bobbie was blessed with a loving family. He married his best friend, Frances Kay Wofford on June 6, 1961, in Medicine Mounds, TX. Bobbie helped raise his two daughters with patience, discipline and humility. He taught them to work hard, be humble and love Jesus. The family enjoyed family vacations which typically centered around either music (Grand Ole Opry) or theme parks and loved vacations in the mountains (yes, he even skied). These memories are very precious to us. He was so humble and giving and loved Jesus with all his heart. He often spent time on phone calls (FaceTime), at men’s breakfast, and just casual meetings continuing to understand the Bible and the Lord’s teaching. He loved to share and teach the Word of God through multiple years as a leader of adult Sunday School classes and his ministry of providing New Testament bibles to those he witnessed to. He loved old gospel and old country music, he was a big fan of Chet Akins and The Gaither’s. Playing his guitars and dobro were a big part of his life. His love of music was shared throughout his life from jam sessions with friends, Vacation Bible School performance, and alone time to play. He truly enjoyed his trips to Branson, MO, and visiting/listening to his good friend Mike McAdoo perform.

Bobbie was very dedicated to his career that started with his graduation from Texas A&M University in 1970 with a PhD in Plant Physiology. He then accepted a position as a Senior Scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture where he would work for 39 years, first in Stoneville, Mississippi and then in Lubbock, Texas. Bobbie was nationally and internationally recognized for his contributions as one of the top root physiologists working on cotton and developing approaches to assess the generic variability in root growth and development. He authored and co-authored over 150+ scientific papers and abstracts, including 3 authored/co-authored books in the Library of Congress. He was very devoted to his research, the farming industry, and future students seeking opportunity in Plant Physiology. For the next 10 years, following his retirement from the USDA, he was a professor at Texas Tech University and taught Plant Anatomy, Morphology, and Environmental Plant Physiology. During the same 10 years, he was a consultant for Cotton Incorporated where he helped guide research to make cotton more stress tolerant and to educate farmers about practical applications of science innovations.

Bobbie is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Kay McMichael; his daughters, Robin Moon and her husband Keith Moon and Missy Morse and her husband Darin Morse; his six grandchildren, Brock Moon, Morgan Moon, Kayla Moon, Taryn Moon, Alix Morse, and Addison Morse; his two great-grandchildren, Marlee Tabb and Reagan Moon; his sisters, Luann Crownover and family and Glynn Nuckles and family. He is preceded to glory by his parents, Jackie Lee and Willie Ann McMichael and step-mother, Ida Merle McMichael.

The Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Venture Church, 801 Keller Pkwy, Keller, TX 76248. Please go to http://venturechurch.net/ for live screening if you cannot attend in person. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to either of the following in Bobbie’s name:
Bible League International - https://www.bibleleague.org/donation/main-worldwide/ - you can donate in memory of Bobbie McMichael to continue his passion of putting the Word of God into the hands of those that don’t know Christ.
Texas Tech Biology Science Fund for Excellence – https://www.depts.ttu.edu/artsandsciences/giving/HowToGive.php - Please make sure you include Dr. Bobbie McMichael and Biology Fund for Excellence on the subject line. Funds go to help graduate students in the department.