Robert Catlin Sr.

Robert David Catlin Sr. was born on August 4, 1938 in Atlanta, Georgia to Violet L. Catlin known “Our Big Mama” and father, Albert M. Catlin Sr., “Our Pops”. He moved to California in 1947, residing in San Francisco then to San Diego. He received his formal education in the San Diego Unified School District, graduating from Mission Bay High School in 1955. As a teenager, his friends named him Cadillac, which stayed with him through life. His fellow work partna’s called him Bob. In October of 1956 Robert joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served faithfully for two years. Being the faithful and devoted son, Robert would send his entire paycheck home to his mom to help out. Our Big Mama would always say “Robert I Don’t Need Your Money, We Are Alright, Pops Catlin takes care of us just fine”. Robert was a hard worker, who always landed career jobs. His jobs include: Nassco and the Merchant Marines before working at San Diego Gas & Electric Company. In 2007 Robert retired after 36 years as a locator supervisor. After his retirement, Robert enjoyed his time with his family, making up for what he missed in his children, his grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s lives. He loved telling them his life story. He loved his room, he would get off work, read the entire newspaper before he came out. Robert would talk a lot of mess from room and everyone outside of his room would laugh. You can come into the house one day and he would kick you out the next day, saying “get out of my house now! “go read a book”, “get off my porch”, don’t stand in front of my house”, ya’ll go to the park now” daddy would never change when he said something, and he would repeat it with no problem. In 1958, Robert met Jean Bonner and three children were born to union and this union also included four stepchildren. In 1967 he met Dell Johnson and one child was born to this union and this union also included eight stepchildren. In 1968 he met Mary Delorise Florence Catlin and they were united in Holy Matrimony on February 27, 1970 and seven children were born to this union.    He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, John Henry Catlin, Sr., grandson, DeVonte Barner, granddaughters, Sylvia Rochelle, Ta Juana Johnson and Da Juana Johnson, stepdaughters, Victoria Tolbert and Fern Marie Pryor. God called “Daddy” Robert David Catlin, Sr. home on Tuesday, January 15, 2019. He held on as long as he could for his family. He will be missed and loved so dearly by all his family and friends. He held a special part in everyone’s heart. He leaves to cherish his memory: his children, Robert DavidCatlin, Jr., Valerie L. Catlin- Sparks, Violet D. Catlin, Lacretia C. Catlin, Gay K. Catlin-Curry, John Albert Catlin, Michael Lamar Catlin, Richard Derome Catlin, Crystal E. Catlin, Theresa N. Catlin-Thibeaux, Sylvia R. Catlin-Scott, Ronnie Pryor, Jimmie Pryor, Nicole Pryor, Michael Miles, Darnell Johnson, Mardella Johnson, Evelyn Walker, Bradford Tolbert, Marvella Johnson and Victor Tolbert; one brother, Albert “Joe”Merrit Catlin Jr.; sisters, Barbara Catlin-Williams and Mary Catlin-Meals; his companion of twenty-two years, Corinthian Ann Oliphant and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, many friends, father to many and extended family members to mourn his passing but yet celebrate his life. 

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