Bobby Dale Thrift

Bobby Dale Thrift

Gaffney, SC

United States Air Force Retired First Sergeant Bobby Dale Thrift departed this life in the early morning hours of Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 following a short but courageous battle with cancer. He was encircled by his wife and daughters until the very end. The fight was a hard one, lasting just over a week, that can only be described with one of Bobby’s catch phrases: “Dammit boy!”

Born on August 7th, 1958, Bobby is the son of Frances Lovings Parris and the late Harold O’Briene Thrift (U.S. Army - Retired). He was the grandson of Charlie and Pearl Lovings and Joe Wofford and Winnie Thrift. Born and raised in Chesnee, South Carolina, Bobby was a member of the graduating class of 1977, having played baseball and football for his high school alma mater.

Bobby enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1978, leading him into a career that lasted 20 years, 6 months, and fifteen days (he claims to know the hours, minutes, and seconds as well). Bobby’s time in the Air Force saw him travel all over the country and the world, being stationed at Robins Air Force Base Georgia, Clear Air Force Station Alaska, Grand Forks A.F.B. North Dakota, Tyndall A.F.B. Florida, and Kadena A.F.B.Okinawa, Japan. He also traveled to Asia, the Middle East, and throughout the United States during his time serving his country. Bobby was a proud veteran and touched many lives during his time in the service.

Top is how you address a First Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. As a member of the U.S.A.F. and as a ‘Top Shirt’, Bobby impacted numerous lives, collecting lifelong friendships along the way. Many of his military comrades were able to reach out to him in his final days, sharing memories and gratitude of time served together. Hearing these stories meant so very much to Bobby and to his family during his battle.

After retiring from the Air Force, Bobby retired to Chesnee, South Carolina, where he and his wife Sherii raised their two daughters, Jessicca and Katie. While retired from the military, he continued to work, being employed for Aramark Uniform Services, Hubbell Lighting, Tri-State Truck and Trailer Repair, and O'Reilly Auto Parts. Bobby also kept busy with projects around his home and property. He also greatly enjoyed taking yearly camping trips with his family.

In his final week, Bobby was able to speak with old friends and distant relatives, which brightened his spirits as his strength waned. He also imparted words of wisdom upon his wife, daughters, and sons-in-law. The ones he repeated most were: “Don’t let life get in the way of living,” and “It is what it is.”

Bobby was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father, and his older sisters, Kathy Joann Thrift and Debra Ann Thomas.

Bobby is survived by his pride and joy, his wife of 42 years, Sherii, of Chesnee. In addition to his wife, Bobby is survived by his two daughters, Jessicca Henderson (Thomas) of Greenville, and  Katie Thrift-Winch (Micah) of Chesnee. He is also survived by his mother, Frances Parris of Chesnee, and his brother David Parris (Lisa), also of Chesnee. Finally, ‘Top’ as Bobby was called, is survived by “his babies”: (grandchildren) Luke, Cathy, and Cayleigh.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for those who feel moved to do so to make a donation in Bobby’s honor to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org/)

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Harris-Nadeau Mortuary

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, December 1, 2024 in the chapel of Harris-Nadeau Mortuary. Burial with full military honors will follow in Springhill Memorial Gardens.

Harris-Nadeau Mortuary

Chesnee, SC.