Mr. Bobby Gene Putnam, 82, of 6133 Fallston Rd., died Oct. 31, 2011 at Carolina’s Rehab-Mt. Holly.  A native of Cleveland Co., he was the son of the late Spurgeon Britton and Maggie Lee Bridges Putnam.  He served a lifetime career in law enforcement with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department where he was instrumental in starting the first detective division and becoming the first detective in Cleveland County, later retiring as a Captain.  He also founded and co-owned Shelby Marine.  He attended St. Peters U.M.C.

PRECEDED: In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Don Putnam.

SURVIVED: He is survived by loving wife, Mary Floyd Putnam, of the home; son, Wayne Putnam and wife Peggy; daughter, Jean Putnam Horne and husband Chris, all of Shelby, two step-sons, Ronnie King and wife Joyce of Lawndale, Alan King of Casar; two brothers, Billy Putnam and wife Bonnie of Shelby, Gary Putnam and wife Linda of Lawndale; six grandchildren, Leah Ledford and husband Billy, Kristen Brown and husband Jason, Katie Chamberlain and husband Reid, Emily Barnes and husband Robbie, Haley and Hunter King; two great grandchildren, Ella Ledford and Avery Brown.

SERVICES: 1PM, Thursday at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home Chapel

CLERGY: Rev. Patricia Chaput

BURIAL: Burial will immediately follow in Cleveland Memorial Park

MEMORIALS: St. Peters U.M.C, 6443 Fallston Rd., Lawndale, NC  28090

FUNERAL HOME:    Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Shelby