Robert Danny Sager, Jr.

Robert Danny Sager, Jr. passed into the arms of our Heavenly Father suddenly on November 19, 2021, at the age of 79.  He continued to suffer from chest pains following cardiac bypass surgery earlier in the year and did not survive a procedure to determine the cause.

Bob was born on December 14, 1941, in Columbia, Tennessee, to parents Robert Dan Sager and Opal Blalock Sager. He grew up in Sheffield, Alabama, and lived in several places across the United States during his life, finally settling the last few years in Gun Barrel City, Texas.  OK, it was really Mabank, Texas, but that sounds so dull.  He served our country in the Air Force as an aircraft fuel specialist, which is just a fancy way of saying he put gas in aircraft.  Following his discharge, he returned home to attend the University of Alabama, ROLL TIDE!  He excelled in the field of Information Technology, but none of us really know anything about that unless you count his love of electronic gadgets.  After retiring, he worked as a bus driver for Mansfield ISD, often coming home with stories about the special needs kids that he loved to make laugh every day.  He cared deeply for his second wife, Diane, until her passing and was encouraged by her children to continue living life fully.  Shortly afterward, Bob met and married Shirley Spillers and moved to Cedar Creek Lake, where he spent his final years adoring a very special woman that loved him back equally.  Except when he wouldn’t do yard work.  He and Shirley were members at Seven Points Church of Christ.

Bob’s interests included staying in touch with his grandchildren, talking about his grandchildren, showing off pictures of his grandchildren, and telling everyone how beautiful and smart his grandchildren are.  He was very involved in the life of his namesake, Robert Tristan Sager, with whom he shared a special bond and an uncanny resemblance in features.  He gave a loving home to numerous pets, loved to go fishing, and enjoyed sitting in his recliner while watching his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide.

Bob stayed in touch with people from all phases of his life, including childhood classmates, coworkers, neighbors, and caregivers.  If you were friends with Bob on Facebook, you know he posted about his own hospital visits, so we are kind of surprised that he didn’t post a quick obituary too before he passed.  Friends describe him as loving, funny, sweet, and upbeat, but family agrees that “wisecracker” is much more fitting.  He will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

Bob is survived by his wife of 8 years, Shirley Spillers Sager; daughter Kimberlie Sasan, her husband Hement Sasan and their son Tristan Sager of Keller, Texas; daughter Candice Sager of Attalla, Alabama; daughter Misty Tarrance of Amarillo, Texas; sister Doris Sager Tuten of Athens, Alabama; sister Cathy Sager Redmon of Fircrest, Washington; brother James T. Sager of Madison, Alabama; and numerous grandchildren and extended family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Robert Dan Sager and Opal Blalock Sager, and brother Kenneth C. Sager.

At Bob’s request, no service will be held at this time.  Burial will be at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. A memorial service is being planned following the holidays at Seven Points Church of Christ. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Moorhead Funeral Home, 750 E. Main St, Gun Barrel City, TX 75156.  The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to their local no-kill animal shelter in Bob’s name.