Bobby Elmer Aughtman

Bobby Elmer Aughtman was a self taught superior mechanic.
Starting at an early age of 11, his father Earl C Aughtman had a
engine that need to be rebuilt. Looking at Bobby he said “Bo I
need this engine rebuilt”. From that beginning, Bobby became
known as one of the A #1 mechanics in the Florida Panhandle
and South Alabama.
For many years Bobby worked on his fathers farm maintaining
everything from tractors, implements, regular trucks and over the
road trucks, trailers and some of the first diesel powered
automobiles. His reputation as a First rate mechanic gained him
many other opportunities such as the Alfred Douglas Trucking
Company in Pleasant Home Alabama and the Adams Timber
Company in the Baker and Crestview Florida area.
His vast skill an abilities gained him employment in the
Louisiana offshore oil rigs.
Returning home from the oil rigs, employment was no
problem. His work was widely recognized by the John Deere
dealerships of the area, he was knowledgeable on most any kind
of tractor or engine, however being raised around the Big Green
John Deere machines, he had Superior expertise on the John
Deere 10, 20, 30 and 40 series tractors as well as combines and
cotton pickers. Bobby is a 1970 Graduate of Baker High School and a member of Beda Baptist Church.
Bobby being raised on the farm ventured into farming himself
when cotton returned to the Florida Panhandle and South
Alabama. He raised cotton as well as engaged in custom cotton
harvesting that spanned from the Jackson County Florida area
and even across the Texas border into Mexico.
Even though the agricultural landscape changed, employment
was never a problem for Bobby as he was the maintenance
foreman for Harper Electric in Andalusia, Alabama maintaining
the equipment that erected the Big power lines through swamps
and way above overhead in the sky.
Bobby’s mechanical skills and abilities is only shared by a
very small number of people who could rebuild engines with
precision and skill, taught only by themselves and experience.
Many people working on engines and machines were touched by
the skills and knowledge that Bobby obtained through many
years of hard work and experience.

One hobby Bobby loved was racing cars on dirt tracks throughout the Florida Panhandle earning the handle “The Flash” taking home the checkered flag many times.

Bobby is preceded in death by his parents, Earl C. and Mamie Aughtman, his first wife, Brenda Hall Aughtman, two brothers, Ronnie & Pat Aughtman and Donnie Aughtman and his nephew, Rodney Aughtman.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Brenda Barrow Aughtman, two daughters, Karen Dubose (Chris), Kristy Neal (Dustin), two brothers, Jerry Aughtman (Sue) and Dale Aughtman (Dianna), his three sisters, Lynn Allen, Susie Allen (Steve) and Ellie Barker, his extended family, Angela Barrow McDaniel, Kenneth Barrow (Melissa), Heather, Whitney, Chasity, Kendyl and Kaylee, his four grandchildren, Kaylee, Hana, Trace and Karis, his five great grandchildren, Trenton, Kiley, Wyatt, McKanna, and Kennedy along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Good Hope Baptist Church with Pastor David Roy officiating. Burial to follow at Cotton Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Good Hope Baptist Church.