Robert Golson Bond

Robert Golson Bond passed away Saturday, July 11, 2026, at his home in the Mt. Mariah Community surrounded by his beloved family and faithful companion, Lady.

Robert was born in Haynesville, Louisiana, on September 9, 1944, to Reverend Beverly Bond and Marie Golson Bond. He grew up as a “Methodist preacher’s kid” living in many different communities throughout North Louisiana.

Robert graduated from C.E. Byrd High School in 1962. While at Byrd he played football and excelled at track. After finishing second in the High Hurdles at the LA State Track Meet, he was offered many track scholarships to different universities. He decided on the offer from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

In 1963, Robert followed in his dad’s footsteps and joined the Navy. After training at the Naval Communications School in Pensacola, FL, for a year, he was stationed at the Naval Support Facility Kamiseya, in Atsugi, Japan, for two years, seven months and 13 days. During this time, Robert volunteered twelve separate times for undercover missions into Vietnam. He was imbedded with Marines and Army Rangers behind enemy lines. These missions were top secret, and he was under oath to never speak of them for fifty years. No one in his family knew he had ever set foot in Vietnam until a few years ago. While serving in Japan he developed his love for motorcycles. He actually rode his motorcycle up Mt. Fuji. Robert always joked that while he served in the Navy, he never got out of sight of land, except when he went deep sea fishing off the coast of Pensacola.

After his service in the Navy, he returned to the Arcadia/Athens area where he lived until his passing.

Robert worked many years in the oil and gas industry for Enterprise Products and TXO/Marathon Oil. Upon taking early retirement in 1993, he and Nancy decided to build their poultry farm which is still in operation.

He was a man who loved and was so proud of his family. His children and grandchildren were the joy of his life. He loved his many friends and his church. He loved to talk and could strike up a conversation with anyone he met. One of the greatest joys of his life was riding his motorcycle “full speed” down the highway.

Robert was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Lora Golson and William Fuller and Mary Jewel Bond; his parents, Rev. Beverly Bond and Marie Golson Bond, and his father and mother-in-law Lurie and Sybil Jordan.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy Jordan Bond, son Clay Bond (Kim) of Arcadia, LA; daughter Kristi Bond (Chris) of Hattiesburg, MS; grandchildren Taylor Lee (Caroline) of Metairie, LA; and the love of his life, great granddaughter Maeve Marie Lee; Alyssa Craig (Dustin) of Athens, LA; and Gage Craig (Skylar) and baby Piper of Ruston, LA; brother Jerry Bond (Pat) of Arcadia, LA; sister Beverly Ann Summers (Mike) of Baton Rouge, LA, many nephews, a niece and a host of “Bond Cousins.”

Honoring Robert as pallbearers are Brad Bond, Greg Powell, Marc Powell, Landry Powell, Davis Powell, Brian Powell, Todd Pesnell, and Clay Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are Paul Cook, Keith Watkins, Sam Wilkinson, Ronnie Liles, Larry Barnett, Mack Waits, Sno Spurlock, Andreas Lopez, his buddies from the “Table of Knowledge” at Crossroads Restaurant, and the Sunday Morning Gap Farm Coffee Bunch.

Visitation for Robert will be held Tuesday, July 14, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Arcadia. The funeral service will be Wednesday, July 15, at 10:0 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow immediately at Mt. Mariah Cemetery, in Arcadia, LA. Officiating will be Rev. Perry Anderson and Rev. Doud DeGraffenreid.

Robert’s family would like to thank Dr. Mark Haynes, Dr. Scott Haynes, the nurses and staff at Claiborne Memorial Medical Center, Claiborne Family Clinic, and Bienville Medical Center for the love and care they gave him during his time of illness. Also, a very special thanks to Amber Salmon for her tireless, compassionate care and love for Robert.

The family requests memorial gifts be made to Mt. Mariah Church or Mt. Mariah Cemetery. Donations may be mailed to 275 Mask Rd, Athens, LA 71003.