Bobby Wayne Laten, age 84, of Lincoln County, TN, passed away on January 20, 2024, at Donalson Care Center, with his beloved wife by his side. Bobby was born on June 9, 1939, in Fayetteville, TN to the late Lamon Milton Laten and Lillian Thomas Laten.

Bobby was a 1957 graduate of Central High School. Mr. Laten served in the US Army as an SGT E5 for three years (serving in Korea). Later he was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground in MD. In October 1962, he moved to Mississippi, serving in the Army National Guard (for three years) while attending Jones County Junior College. While serving in the National Guard, Bobby was called to protect James Meredith, the first black person to attend Ole Miss, which was still a segregated college.

In 1964, Bobby moved to Huntsville, AL, and was employed by Boeing Company working on the Saturn V and Lunar Rover vehicle projects. In 1974, Mr. Laten was hired by the Army Missile Command on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. He was assigned to the Engineering Design and Research Directorate. After retiring from Civil Service, Bobby was hired by Morgan Research as a US Army contractor. His technical career spanned 49 years.

His hobbies included shooting pool, hunting, and fishing. Bobby particularly enjoyed saltwater fishing on the Gulf Coast for more than 60 years, where he was a regular fixture in Gautier, MS. He enjoyed Blue Grass and Country Music, especially Merle Haggard and Vern Gosdin songs. Bobby and his wife Melanie owned and operated the Laten Bed and Breakfast House on Washington Street in Fayetteville, TN. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Hazel Green, AL.

Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Melanie Cook Laten; sons, Tony (Julie) Laten, and David Laten; grandchildren, Ian Houser, Noah Laten, Hannah Laten, Wyatt Schmidt, and Walker Schmidt; stepchildren, Lauren Wells, and Andrew (Stephanie) Schmidt; mother of Bobby’s children (former wife of 38 years), Jean Laten; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by his sisters, Doris Laten Nagel, and Shirley Laten Schultz.

Visitation with the family will be from 10 AM until 11 AM on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Higgins Funeral Home with services to follow at 11:15 AM at Higgins with Bro. Bobby Eads officiating. Burial will follow at Stewart Cemetery with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306 or to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, 801 Clinton Avenue East, Huntsville, AL 35801.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Bobby Wayne Laten.