Chird Travis Bobbitt

Chird Travis Bobbitt, 85, of Searcy, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2026. He was born on April 8, 1941, in Searcy, where he grew up surrounded by family and friends.

Chird graduated from Searcy High School in 1959. That same year, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and began his career as a computer programmer and operator. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science. In the summer of 1964, he met the love of his life, Dyann Benton. They married on June 1, 1965, and shared 61 wonderful years together.

Chird served a total of 20 years on active duty in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1981. They were stationed at several bases, including MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, Ellington Air Force Base in Texas, Arnold Air Force Station in Tennessee, Woomera in South Australia, and Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. From November 1967 to September 1968, he served with the 377th Combat Support Group at Tan Son Nhut Airbase in Vietnam.

After leaving the military, Chird and Dyann returned to Searcy to raise their family and put down roots. For the next 23 years, he served as White County’s chief computer system administrator. He took great pride in his work and in caring for his community.

Chird enjoyed racing motocross and was an avid reader. He also enjoyed running in competitions, working on family genealogy, and spending time outdoors. He took special pride in keeping his yard beautiful and loved taking part in local parades and county shows with his classic Volkswagen and trucks. Above all, Chird believed his greatest achievement was the loving family he built with Dyann.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Flemon and Leila Bobbitt, and by a brother and a sister.

Chird is survived by his wife and best friend, Dyann; his two sons, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Shain Bobbitt of Bentonville, Arkansas, and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Bobbitt and his wife Alma of Johnson City, Tennessee; and his four grandsons, Brayden, Matthew, Tyler and Ethan.

Chird will be remembered as a devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, faithful servant to his country, and a kind man who loved his family deeply. His quiet strength, warm smile, and steady presence touched everyone who knew him.

Special Thanks

His family thanks the wonderful staff and hospice care workers of The Springs for their support and gentle care for Chird in his last days. The family also extends heartfelt gratitude to Life Touch Hospice Group, Unity Hospital, Unity South Campus Rehabilitation and Unity Health Specialty Care Center.

A memorial service will be held at Searcy Church of the Nazarene, 112 Ridgeview Pl., Searcy, AR 72143 on Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 2 p.m. Arrangements by Searcy McEuen Funeral Home, www.searcymceuenfuneralhome.com.