Robert Rayburn

Robert L. “Bob” Rayburn, 65 left this earth to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 18, 2015. He was born June 16, 1950 in Mount Vernon, New York and moved to Miami in 1956. He graduated from Carol City High School in 1968, attended the University of Florida and studied business for four years. He then attended Miami Dade and received an Associates Degree in Arts. In 1976 he moved to Babson Park where he traveled and played with several bands. In 1980 he moved to Winter Haven, where he was a sales rep for Colorado Box Beef Company for 32 years. Robert was an accomplished acoustical jazz and rock guitarist and has taught numerous cousins and friends the gift of playing the guitar. Bob was an avid cyclist and loved his rides with “the young ones”, as he called them, as well as his rides alone. He was involved in fundraising for the Humane Society of Polk County for many years. Before his father’s death, they worked together in the Cursillo movement. Bob was one for the finer things in life, including his faith, his friends, his wine and his food. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, John J. “Jack” and Geraldine “Gerry” Rayburn. Survivors include his sister, Pamela Grooms and husband, Royce of Winter Haven; brother, Ralph Rayburn and wife, Jan of Miami Shores; niece, Jensen and nephew, Calvin. For those who wish, donations may be sent to the Humane Society of Polk County (3195 Dundee Road, Winter Haven, FL 33884). Mass of the Resurrection will be held 12:00 p.m. Saturday, November 28, 2015 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 532 Avenue M NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881.