Robert Jacob Hite, Jr., 80, of Paducah, Kentucky passed away at 3:50 p.m. Thursday, June 22, 2023 at the Ray & Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center. He was born on November 11, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Robert Jacob Hite, Sr. and Marie Elizabeth Pryor Hite. Robert was a retired Mechanic for United Parcel Service and worked for Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in Quality Control. He was a 1960 graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School. Robert was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 where he was stationed at Ft. Bliss, Texas. While at Ft. Bliss he was served in the Honor Guard, taught electronics, a technician on the Hawk missle and was soldier of the quarter. Robert in 1971 graduated Cum Laude from Murray State University with a degree in Industrial Technology.
Everyone who knew Robert loved him. Whenever you were around him, he always had a joke or story to tell. He loved laughing and making you laugh with him. He never met a stranger. Robert loved animals and cars.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Helen Harper Hite; daughter, Alicia Hite Bender and husband, John of Chaska, Minnesota; son, Chad Hite and wife, Tara of Paducah, Kentucky; brother, William “Bud” Hite and wife, Ann of Paducah, Kentucky; three grandchildren, Emily Hite, Kyndal Hite and Kelsey Sullivan and husband, Jeremy; one great grandchild, Hudson Sullivan.
Robert was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Jill Marie Hite and his parents.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 26, 2023 at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Rev. Todd Hawkins officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens with military rites.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to, Project Hope Humane Society, P.O. Box 125, Metropolis, Il 62960 or to your favorite charity.
You can send a message to the family and light a candle at www.milnerandorr.com <http://www.milnerandorr.com>.