Bob Gold was born on December 4, 1943, to Jerry and Annie Gold of Caldwell.
He was the oldest of three children and grew up on the family farm, where he learned the value of hard work by milking cows, plowing the garden and picking cotton.
He attended Union School and Cook’s Point School before graduating from Caldwell High School in 1962.
After graduation, he moved to Austin to attend Durham Business College.
Bob spent his career in sales and became a successful self-made businessman.
Many knew him and his brother, Jerry, through the Chevrolet Chrysler dealership in Giddings, which they opened and operated together.
He enjoyed building businesses, solving problems, and helping others find practical solutions. He often provided advice to friends, customers, and family because he was a problem-solver and always had an idea for how to tackle the next challenge.
Bob never sat still. As a young man, he played in a band, raced cars, rode motorcycles and earned his private pilot’s license at age 29. He loved flying and shared that passion with family and friends over the years.
Hunting was one of Bob’s greatest passions. He hunted mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, caribou, moose, stone sheep and grizzly bears, traveling as far as British Columbia. While he appreciated the trophies, he valued the time outdoors even more. He continued hunting long after getting his last deer in 1992 simply because he enjoyed being in God’s creation and spending time with family and friends. His annual trips to Mexico remained a highlight, and he was still hunting there in January 2026.
Bob loved animals of every kind. Whether feeding cows, deer, birds, guinea, ducks, peacocks, or the squirrel he named “Hackerman,” he enjoyed caring for the animals that lived on the farm.
Family was always his priority. He shared his life with his wife, Shirley (known affectionately as Mana), his daughters, Nugget and Terri Lynn, and his four grandchildren, McCalley, Dalton, Landry, and Tuffy.
The farm was where the family gathered to work and spend time together. Grandpa gave each grandchild an “Indian” name and never missed a chance to teach them something, whether it was about work, common sense, or life.
Bob was known for his tough exterior, but he was always willing to help. He enjoyed solving problems, believed hard work could overcome most obstacles, and wasn’t shy about sharing advice from the “school of hard knocks.”
He had a strong will to win, took pride in doing things well, and never quit when things got tough.
Above all, he was loyal. If Bob was in your corner, you could count on him.
Bob will be remembered for his work ethic, practical wisdom, love of the outdoors and the lasting impact he made on his family and friends.
Bob is survived by his wife, Shirley Gold of Dime Box; his two daughters and sons-inlaw, Nugget and Mark Cunningham of Iola and Terri Lynn and Brent Dornburg of Goliad; his four grandchildren, Mc-Calley Cain Cunningham of College Station, Landry Rain Cunningham of Washington, D.C., Dalton Andrew Dornburg and his wife, Abby Grace, of Goliad, and Tuffy Dillon Lucas Dornburg of Goliad; his sister and brother-inlaw, Joyce and Lynn New of Longview; his brother and sister-in-law, Jerry and Janelle Gold of Ledbetter; his sister-in-law, Priscilla King of Belton; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Bob’s dog, Bear, and cat, Handsome, also survive him and will miss him so much.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church in Dime Box with Rev. Terry Bage and Rev. Meloni Puishes officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Friday, July 10, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings. The family will be present for visitation Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Mark Cunningham, Dalton Dornburg, Tuffy Dornburg, Trevor Taylor, Mike Iselt, and Jerry Gold.
Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church in Dime Box or to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings.
PHILLIPS & LUCKEY FUNERAL HOME
Giddings, Tx 77836 979-542-3113