Bobby Rand Fulghum, 87, passed away May 9, 2026, after a period of declining health due to Parkinson’s disease—though even in his later years, he still managed to outwork and outmove most people around him.
Born March 29, 1939, in Zebulon, North Carolina, to Jesse Fulghum and Helen Fulghum Joy, Bobby moved through life at one speed: fast. With his red hair, endless energy, and unmistakable presence, he was the kind of man people remembered. He loved loud engines, fast cars, hard work, and anything mechanical. He could rebuild engines, repair machinery, and fix just about anything.
Bobby spent his early childhood in Wilson, North Carolina, before his family moved to Newport News, Virginia, where he attended Warwick High School. He built a long career as a machinist, working in shipbuilding, aeronautics connected to NASA and Langley, and for more than 25 years at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he was
also active in the Teamsters Union.
Cars remained his lifelong passion. He drag-raced at local tracks, restored vintage cars, rebuilt motors, and, after retirement, bought and sold used cars. Bobby never met a stranger. He always had a story or opinion to share, usually beginning
with, “And let me tell you another thing…”
Later in life, Bobby developed a love for the water after moving with his wife, Jean, to Chisman Point in Seaford, Virginia, where he enjoyed taking family and friends out on his Grady-White fishing boat. They later settled in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Fulghum and Helen Fulghum Joy, and his sister, Gloria Brown.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Jean Fulghum; siblings Libby Crossland (Ted), Nancy Fulghum, and Thomas Joy (Betty); children Robert Fulghum (Carrie), Randy Fulghum (Ying), Michelle Taylor (Geof), Cathy Lanitis (Phil), and Vickie Williams (John); stepchildren Kevin Nelson (Anastasia) and Kimberly Loveridge (Chris); 11 grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 30, at Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd.. Newport News. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the service at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bobby’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation (Parkinson.org) or a charity of your choice.