Robert L. Templeton

Robert L. “Bob” Templeton, 92, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, March 22, 2024. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Polk St. Methodist Church, 1401 S. Polk with Rev. Lesly Broadbent officiating. Burial will be at Llano Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Wednesday at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Drive.

Bob was born March 17, 1932 in Amarillo, Texas to Thomas and Mary Templeton. He spent his first 10 years in Amarillo. The family then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and Bridgeport, Connecticut before landing in the small town of Frost, Texas near Waco, where Bob graduated from Frost High School. He did his undergraduate studies at Baylor University, obtaining his BA in 1952, and went on to earn his Juris Doctorate at Baylor Law School in 1954. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force, and then found himself back in Amarillo, where he began his legal career. He married Martha Louise Williams in 1954, and together they raised three children, Linda, Tom and Luanne.

In legal circles, Bob had name recognition. He had a legal career that spanned over 65 years. His many law partnerships included Kolander & Templeton, Templeton & Garner, Templeton, Smithee, Hayes, Heinrich & Russell, LLP and finally Robert Templeton & Associates. For many years, he was chosen as a Texas Super Lawyer in Personal Injury Litigation. He published a biography, in which he tells of some of his trials and lawsuits, titled, “Country Boy But No Country Lawyer”. He was the recipient of the coveted Temple-Houston Award given to only four lawyers. He was named Outstanding Plaintiff’s Lawyer in Amarillo, Texas by Texas Lawyer Magazine.

Bob previously served on the board of managers of Northwest Texas Hospital, board member of Canadian River Municipal Water Authority, Board of Directors of Herring Bank, and Director of the Herring Bank Holding Company.

In his spare time, Bob loved his many trips to Las Vegas, his favorite place to get away from it all. He enjoyed gin rummy and was an avid poker player, playing with the likes of Amarillo Slim. He enjoyed golf and was a huge animal lover. He was a man of small stature with a big personality and even bigger heart. He had a booming voice and an affinity for performing, which made him an excellent litigation attorney.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Martha Templeton; his son, Thomas James Templeton; a grandson, Benjamin Hopper; and a granddaughter, Avery Hopper.

Survivors include two daughters, Linda Cunyus and husband Larry of Amarillo, and Luanne Boyd of Lavon, TX; a brother, Jeff Templeton of Dallas, TX; a sister, Mary Tom King and husband Paul of Houston, TX; four grandchildren, Coe Cunyus and wife Jansyn of Amarillo, Kendall Cockerham and husband Paul of Midland, TX, Nicholas Hopper of San Antonio, TX, and Abby Boyd of Houston; and four great-grandchildren, Quinn, Lane, Kellen and Oakley.

The family suggests memorial donations may be made to High Plains Children’s Home or the Amarillo SPCA.