Robert E. Jamison

Our father passed away on Christmas morning at home. He was 94. Robert Eugene Jamison was born on the family farm in Morgantown, West Virginia to Jarrett and Bess Jamison on January 3,1924.

He loved God, his wife and his family. He loved his General McLane Lancers and his West Virginia Mountaineers.  He was also a proud 33rd degree Mason, Shriner and Marine. He loved Edinboro and his home state of West Virginia. He was the youngest of seven children with five sisters and one brother. He grew up working on the farm and graduated from Morgantown High where he was a stand out football player for the Mohigans.  After graduation he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in both World War II and the Korean War.  He was in the 5th Battalion and fought in the South Pacific.  After serving three years in the military, he enrolled at West Virginia University, where he played football for the always tough Mountaineers.  It was there that he met the love of his life, Virginia "Ginny" Utterback. They met in January 1947 and were married on November 26, 1947.  After graduation they moved to Edinboro, PA to manage a bowling alley for Bob's sister and brother-in-law, who lived in Erie.  It is in Edinboro where they raised their family of five; Jenny (Rod) Daugherty of Greenville, PA, Cindy (Randy) Wyrozub, of East Amherst, NY, Kathy Jamison of Edinboro, Beth (Lenny) Przybyszewski of Edinboro and J.L. (Amy) Jamison of Key West, FL. It was around the same time that Bob began teaching and coaching the football "Turtles" at Edinboro High School, "The Turtles", where he became head coach in 1957.  In 1960, General McLane opened its doors, combining the towns of Edinboro and McKean to form one school. Upon his retirement in 1980, Bob had been the only head coach the Lancers had ever had. His football camps and gym classes were legendary, and the stories that followed from former students and players are still told around town to this day. The family was active members of the United Methodist Church, where at one time Bob was an usher. Bob was an outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He and his three buddies built a camp in the Allegheny mountains and named it “The 4 B's”. They enjoyed many deer seasons and outings there.  The camp is still in the family.

After they retired, Bob and Ginny bought an RV and traveled extensively through the US, Canada, Mexico and Alaska, eventually heading south, after the family celebrated Christmas at the family home every year, to spend winters in Florida and the Keys. Florida fit them well.  Bob would fish with his buddies while Ginny socialized at the pool. They always made friends wherever they went. Through out this entire time they remained loyal to their alma mater, WVU, and were long time season ticket holders. They tail gated every home game and even followed their Mountaineers on the road and to many bowl games. Finally, in 2015, the drive became too much and they sold the RV and spent their past few years going to dinners and movies with friends and traveling closer to home. Bob was a larger than life grandfather (Grandad) who had 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  He was very proud of his family and how large it had become.

Our parents were married 70 years. Our mom passed away in April of 2018 and it was so obvious how much he missed her and how lonely he was without her. They are together again. He will be welcomed with open arms by the Lord and his family who went before him.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Virginia "Ginny" Jamison, grandson Beau Jon Daugherty, granddaughter Melanie Daugherty and granddaughter Jennifer Wyrozub Durfee.

Friends may call at the Edinboro United Methodist Church, 113 High Street, Edinboro on Wednesday January 9, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. till the service at 11:00 a.m.

The Glunt Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Edinboro is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Burial will be at the family plot in Edinboro Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Roberts name to the Zem Zem Shrine Club, 2525 W. 38th St., Erie PA 16506; the ASPCA, P.O. Box 96929, Washington DC 20090, or the Edinboro Fire Department, 125 Meadville St., Edinboro, PA 16412. To send condolences please visit www.gluntfuneralhome.com or sign the guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits.