Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Usry

Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Usry, 80, of Smithville, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, in Americus. 

Services honoring his life will be conducted on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 332 S. Lee St. Americus, GA 31709 at 10:00 am. Rev. Samuel Aniekwe will officiate, and the family will visit with friends following the service at the church. 

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Ringle Usry of Smithville; children, Doug Kahlan and Amy of Acworth, Chris Kahlan and April of Taylorsville, Jeff Kahlan and Laura of Houston, TX and son in law, Pete Carver of Atlanta; seven grandchildren, Baylor, Emme, Bennett, Weston, Maggie, Finn, and Delani; his sister, Charlene Dudley and Jim of Americus, Sister in law, Martha Usry; nieces and nephews, Charles, Cheryl, Cristina, Candace, and Hope. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Missy Carver and brother, Hiram Usry. 

Robert (Bob, Bobby) was born in Americus, GA on August 27, 1944, to Charles D Usry and Erianne. He grew up on his father's farm on Highway 118 in Smithville, spending his childhood riding bicycles, climbing trees, and navigating through cow and hog pens. He attended Smithville Elementary School where his parents graduated from in the 1930's. Bob graduated from Lee County High School in 1962. During his time at LCHS, he was active in 4-H and FFA, showing purebred Hampshire pigs and steers at various shows and county fairs, winning many trophies and ribbons. He played basketball for the Lee County Trojans and was a Boy Scout with Troop 17 of Smithville where he received the highest honors of a Gold Palm Eagle Scout and earned a God and Country award. After graduation he attended Georgia Southwestern College where he earned a diploma in Nursing in May of 1966. He volunteered to join the Army and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in July of 1966. He attended Basic Training at Fort Sam in Houston, Texas and was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. After twelve short weeks, he was off to Vietnam, where he served at the 67th Evacuation Hospital. He left the Army in November 1968 to go back to school. In January of 1970 he joined the Air Force, initially stationed at Wilford Hall Hospital where he worked in the Orthopedic Unit until December of 1971. Bob was later transferred to Elmendorf, Alaska, spending three years in the land of the Midnight sun. He was stationed at Hill AFB in Ogden, Utah where he obtained his degree in history from Weber State College in 1977. In January of 1978 he returned to Wilford Hall. He again left active duty in November 1978, and returned to Alaska as a civilian. Two years later, he came back to his home in Georgia. He joined the Army Reserves in 1982 and transferred to the Georgia National Guard in 1983. He worked at the Navy Branch Clinic from 1984 until 1990. In 1985, he returned to Georgia Southwestern and earned a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education thanks to the GI Bill. In 1991 Lt. Col. Usry was called to active duty during Operation Desert Storm. He served for 60 days at Fort Gordon’s Eisenhower Hospital in Augusta. He inspected nursing homes for federal and state compliance from 1994 until 2004. After retiring from state government, he worked for King Family Nursing Homes for three years helping them with compliance issues. Lt Col Usry retired in 2000 with 30 years of service. During his Guard Service he served as Lee County’s Coroner, served on the Utility Authority for 30 years, and recently served a term on the Lee County Board of Education. 

A lifelong supporter of Lee County High School, for twenty years his favorite activity was pulling the chains for the high school football team. In 2019 he was honored as an LCHS Distinguished Alumnus. Lt Col Usry was married to Elizabeth Ringel Usry for 41 years and  was blessed that she was so wonderful in tolerating his frequent absences. They lived in north Lee County where they raised Charolais/Angus cattle on the family farm and enjoyed traveling of all kinds.

Joseph W. Jones Funeral Home has been given the honor to serve the Usry family.