Mr. Robert Charles Gailor, age 79, of 4728 River Road, Wilson, North Carolina entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. A private memorial service will be held for the family at a later date.

A Gentle Soul's Journey Home: Celebrating the Life and Love of Bob Gailor.

With profound sadness, yet with hearts overflowing with enduring love and gratitude, we announce the passing of our cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Bob Gailor.

Bob was granted peace after a courageous and valiant struggle with several illnesses on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, at 10:02 PM. Though our hearts are shattered by this unbearable loss, we hold tight to the nearly 79 years of light and laughter he gifted this world, a testament to a life defined by warmth and selfless devotion.

A Life Well-Lived

Born in Saratoga Springs, New York, on September 27, 1946, Bob was the beloved son of the late Elizabeth and Wallace Gailor. He was a proud Navy veteran who served aboard the U.S.S. Ozark and carried the dignity of his service throughout his life.

Bob’s greatest joy was his family. He was the devoted husband of 59 years to his beloved wife, Sandy Gailor, who was his rock and truest love. He was the proud father of Rob Gailor and his cherished wife, Vanessa. He was the adored "Pop Pop" to his grandchildren, Kimberly (and her fiancé, Jacob) and Robert.

He was a treasured brother to Marge, Mike, and Patty. Bob also leaves behind a large, loving extended family, including many devoted nieces, nephews, and their children, all of whom he held dear and delighted in teasing with his signature humor.

Bob was a devoted animal lover. He will be deeply missed by his faithful dog, Allie, and his four cat fur babies: Baby, Tiger, Midnight, and Sissy. We find comfort in knowing that Bob will be joyfully reunited with the many beloved pets he had over the years who crossed the Rainbow Bridge before him.

A True Sportsman and Mentor

Bob was a deeply respected figure in the bowling community. He was a well-known bowler in the Albany Tri-State area and his dedication and skill were recognized when he was inducted into the Glens Falls Bowling Hall of Fame in the 1980s. Beyond his own achievements, he was a dedicated bowling mentor to many, including his son, Rob. Bob even developed a remarkable program that successfully had players from the Philadelphia Eagles bowl in a league, which was memorably featured on Monday Night Football.

His passion for sports extended to the wrestling ring. Bob was a lifelong, enthusiastic fan of independent professional wrestling and proudly saw his son, Rob, and his grandson, Robert, follow in that tradition as independent professional wrestlers.

Bob possessed a truly remarkable "steel trap" memory, able to recall specific bowling scores, intricate details of wrestling matches, and countless treasured memories accumulated over a lifetime, sharing them with vivid clarity and warmth.

The Kindest Santa and a Legacy of Joy

For 53 beautiful years, Bob carried on his father's magnificent holiday tradition, embodying the spirit of Christmas as the most kind, genuine, and beloved Santa. From Saratoga Springs, NY, to Carson City, NV, his generous heart was a guiding star. His commitment to visiting sick children and the pure, radiant smiles he conjured on countless faces are a legacy that will echo with warmth through every future December.

His true craft was joy. It was a gift he delivered effortlessly, often punctuated by a perfectly timed, signature "Pop Pop" dad joke, always ready for every person and every situation. He made friends and family smile from New York to Nevada to North Carolina.

Bob felt a deep, spiritual connection to the majesty of Yellowstone National Park and its magnificent wildlife, especially the buffalo. It is there, amidst the wild beauty he loved so much, that his ashes will be spread in the future, returning him to a place that brought him peace.

Eternal Love

To have been loved by Bob was a gift; to have shared our lives with him was a blessing we can never fully articulate. He made absolutely sure we never doubted the depth of his love, and his unwavering, magnificent presence made our world immeasurably better.

Christmas will forever be different, missing his familiar, special light. We miss him terribly, but our grief is outweighed by our eternal gratitude for the boundless love and pure joy he poured into our lives. We take comfort knowing that heaven has gained the very best Santa.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider making a donation in Bob's name to the Gentiva Foundation. The family is eternally grateful to Gentiva Hospice for the wonderful care and support they provided Bob and the entire family during this difficult time.

Donations can be made online at:

https://www.gentivahs.com/patient-and-family-resources/donate/

Please keep the Gailor Family in your thoughts and prayers. Condolences may be directed to carronsfuneralhome.com or faxed to 252.237.0120. They may also be emailed to carronsfuneralhome@gmail.com.

Professional and caring service has been entrusted to Carrons Funeral Home, "The Willing Friend".