Roll Call Tribute

Welch Funeral Home obituary
4619 Judson Road
Longview, TX 75605
Tel: (903) 663-3737

Robert Vernon Baylis
September 1, 1936 ~ May 16, 2017 (age 80)

Robert Vernon Baylis (Bob) died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, May 16th, 2017 of neurendrocrine Cancer in his home surrounded by loved ones. He knew that “by grace are you saved through faith, it is not of yourself, it is a gift of God, not of man least anyone should boast.” Bob did many good things in his life but he was not counting his good works but on the blood of Christ to cover his sins and grant him eternal life.
God gave him the gift of Evangelism which he faithfully used all his life. He started young. As soon as he could drive he would pick up hitch hikers on his way to Church bringing them into his Sunday School class. He trained his children in the way they should go and counted on the promise that when they were old they would never depart from that training. He became a Teacher/Trainer in Evangelism Explosion and set up a course with Bill Rodenburg, Assistant Pastor at Scofield in the 90’s. He went on to join and work hard in the Gideon organization which is dedicated to placing free bibles in hospitals, hotels, and doctor’s offices. They also hand out bibles to newly certified nurses and new military recruits. Bob carried his Evangelism to his workplace where he counseled with his employees and had a Bible track ministry. His door was always open to help in any way.
Bob put God first in his life, his family second and his friends and hobbies third. He worked very hard at all three! He read and studied his Bible every day as evidenced by his main Bible which is held together by duct tape. In addition he loved the books and bible studies written by his favorite Sunday School teacher Monty Mills who will conduct his funeral service.
Robert was born to Christian parents, Tom Baylis and Lucile Selph Baylis in ElDorado, Arkansas on September 1st, 1936. He married Barbara Roberts Baylis on September 1st, 1956 in Longview, Texas. They first met in Junior High Sunday School Class at the First Presbyterian Church in Longview where they married. Robert graduated from Longview High School in 1955. He was a proud graduate in Mechanical Engineering of Texas A&M. He then went on to receive his Jurist Doctorate at Southern Methodist University. At SMU Law School he received the American Jurisprudence Award for the Highest Grade in his class in Contracts. He was a member of the Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity. As a Professional Engineer he was registered in ten different states. He was the founder/owner of City Wide Mechanical, a large mechanical contractor in the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex. He retired in 2008. He was also a member of the Texas Aggie Bar Association, the Sons of the American Revolution, Dallas Chapter and the First Families of Mississippi 1699-1817.
Bob believed in hard work. In his young he always had a summer job and earned most of his money for college by working summer and part-time jobs during the school year. For college a scholarship from East Texas A&M Mother’s Club was a welcome addition to those funds.
He never met a stranger. Friends were always important in his life. He loved training bird dogs, hunting and fishing. He was inducted into the “Field Trial Hall of Fame” in 2015 and his Tribute Plaque hangs in the Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction Tennessee. One of his best friends, Conrad Plevnic wrote the words on the plaque which reads :
“Robert V. “Bob” Baylis gives to the bird dog field trial sport his time, with considerable financial input for the improvement of the sport since 1970’s and is respected by his peers as a person whose honesty and integrity is beyond reproach.
Introduced to the art of bird dog hunting by his father as a youngster, he started hunting and trialing in Texas when he purchased his first setter. His early trialing was in the walking segment of the sport and he was actively involved with the Texas Bird Hunters Association. He served as Director and President of that association while supporting the group.
Migrating to the horseback segment, he continued his total support serving as Region 7 director, vice President, President and AFTCA Trustee. Bob purchased land adjacent to the LBJ National Grasslands north of Decatur, Texas for the sole purpose of using the grounds to connect the grasslands for establishing three one hour courses. Working diligently with USDA officials to establish dedicated Field Trial grounds for use by all breed trials, his land remains available without charge.
A devoted family man, Bob has an overwhelming compassion for all people. The time and resources he spends with the Field Trial world are matched and exceeded with his commitment to his Church, the Gideon’s, and the people in need he meets through these organizations. He is a valued friend”.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara, his son, Brad and wife Sherrie, daughter Belinda Bradley and husband Kerry, Grandchildren, Jessica Baylis, Kyle Baylis, Amberley Bradley and Colton Bradley, niece Joy Jennings and husband Bobby.
Robert prayed when diagnosed with cancer in 2010 to see all his grandchildren graduate from Texas A&M. The youngest graduated Thursday May 11th, 2017. Bob last opened his eyes on Saturday, May 13th when Colton showed him his diploma “Summa Cum Laude.”
Services conducted by Hospice Chaplain Wayne Norvell will be held in the Garden Court of Welch Funeral Home, 4619 Judson Road in Longview, Texas at 11 o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2017 for family and friends. A Memorial service will follow on June 1st in Dallas, Texas on Thursday, June 1st, 2017 at Scofield Memorial Church, 7730 Abrams Road in Dallas Texas at 11 o'clock in the morning with M. S. Mills and Pastor Jim Cassidy officiating. Mr. Baylis will lie in repose in the Library of Welch Funeral Home Tuesday May 23rd, 2017.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that donations may be made in Bob's memory to Presbyterian Hospice Center or the Presbyterian Cancer Center of Dallas, 8196 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas 75231, or hospice center of your choosing. A charity of your choice would also be a wonderful tribute.