Robert 'Bob' Lloyd Tafoya, 71

Robert "Bob" Lloyd Tafoya, 71, passed away on Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Bob was born in Pasadena, Calif., on July 18, 1936, the son of Anthony and Eva (Melichar) Tafoya. Bob attended school in Vallejo, Calif., and South Gate, Calif., where he graduated from high school. He was a gifted athlete since he was a young boy and excelled in all sports, his love for baseball being the greatest. Bob was an avid fisherman all his life and passed these passions on to his sons and grandsons.

Bob joined the Marines upon completing high school and served time in Korea and was then transferred to Honolulu to play football for the Marine Corps. After receiving his honorable discharge, Bob attended Fresno State College on a football scholarship. He then played baseball for the Kansas City minor league team.

After returning to South Gate, Bob met his future wife, Colleen Carlyle, and they married on Sept. 25, 1959.

Bob joined the Los Angeles Police Department, where he served for 20 years before retiring as a detective III with the LAPD. He then worked for the Los Angeles Superior Court and was a Juvenile Court judge until his retirement from that position.

Bob and Colleen raised three sons, Daniel, Jeffrey and Richard. Bob was very involved in his son's activities, primarily Little League baseball and Boy Scouts. The family did a lot of camping and the highlights of their lives were coming to Montana every summer where Colleen was born and raised. They vacationed at the home on Indian Bay.

Prior to moving to Montana, Bob and Colleen lived in Highlands Ranch, Colo., where Bob worked for the Colorado Division of Fish and Wildlife. Bob retired for the final time and he and Colleen moved to Kalispell where their sons, Jeff and Richard reside. Bob had enjoyed fishing and hunting with his sons and grandsons.

Bob's family was the most important thing in his life and they were all gathered around him at the time of his passing on to "God's Heavenly Home."

Bob was preceded in death by his mother and father.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen Tafoya, of Kalispell; his three sons, Daniel Tafoya and wife Shirley, and their two children, Cameron and Ruby of Tustin, Calif.; Jeff Tafoya and three children, Jeffrey, Jessica and Grant, all of Kalispell; and Richard Tafoya, also of Kalispell; grandson, Alan Tafoya and wife Chelse, and great-grandson Ayden live in Lakeside. Bob is also survived by one sister, Dolores Nicola, and husband, Nick, of Nampa, Idaho; one brother, David Tafoya, and wife, Jody, of Seal Beach, Calif.; also two nephews and three nieces.

Memorial services for Bob will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel, 525 Main Street in Kalispell with Chaplain Eddie Nye officiating. A reception will be held at the Elk's Club following the service.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Bob's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Bob's guest book.