Robert J. Ivey

Robert J. Ivey, 86, of Prosperity, S.C. died January 5, 2025.  He was born in Union, S.C., the son of Joe Ivey and Sallie Mae Stribling Ivey.  Bob graduated from Union High School where he played football, the University of S.C., the FBI National Academy, and the United Kingdom Police Staff College Senior Command Course.

Bob began his professional career in 1960 as a uniform police officer with the City of Columbia and USC's Campus Police.  He then joined the FBI in 1964, where, following assignments throughout the U.S., he was appointed Special Agent in Charge of S.C. in 1983.  After retiring from the FBI, he then served as an Agent with SLED, as a Commissioner with the ABC Commission, and as Principal Deputy Director of the S.C. Department of Public Safety.  Bob also served as Chairman of the Governor's Committee on Criminal Justice and was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Campbell in 1994.

In addition to his service in the FBI, Bob was especially proud that he was able to finish his career working with the many officers of S.C.  He was a member of the Society of Former Agents of the FBI, the FBI National Academy Graduates, and the S.C. Law Enforcement Officer's Association.  He was also a member of the Union Lodge of BPOE, the Union County Historical Society, and Wightman Methodist Church of Prosperity.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Judith Parks Ivey and daughter, Relda Saress Ivey.  He is survived by his son Robert J. Ivey, Jr., Lynn Geist Ivey, and grandsons Scott, Steven (Jessica) and Sean.

In his early retirement years, Bob was an avid tennis player and loved meeting up with friends and fishing with his grandsons.  In later years, he especially loved watching the Braves with his son, visits from his grandsons, riding his Harley with Rock's Riders, an afternoon cigar, and playing cards with David's Tuesday Night Game.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home Chapel in Union on Saturday, January 18th at 2:00 pm.  The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner's Hospitals for Children,950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605, J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home, 1330 Kinard St., Newberry, SC 29108 or to Three Oaks Hospice, 101 Westpark Blvd. Suite B, Columbia, SC 29210.