Bobby Joe Alford

Bobby Joe Alford, 89, of Coushatta, Louisiana, passed away October 31, 2025. He was born January 18, 1936, in Tiptonville, Tennessee, to Arthur I. and Bessie Alford.

Bobby proudly served his nation for over 21 years in the U.S. Air Force with honor and distinction, carrying the values he learned in the military throughout his life. He served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967, where he was a member of a flight crew that flew 13-hour missions every other night controlling air strikes and during his service, he was known by his call signal, “Alley Cat.” After retiring from military service, Bobby worked in the oilfield industry off the coast of Africa for five years.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Linda Alford; daughters, Deborah (Doug) Stout and Elizabeth Alford; sister, Gloria Corrente; four grandchildren, Melissa Babb, Holly Stigall, Blake Lensing, and Ashley Lensing; two great-grandchildren, Collier and Wyatt Stigall; numerous nieces and nephews; and stepchildren, Donald (Bo) Messick, Jr. and Dustin Messick.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Helen Juanita Siesky and Opal Louise Schilleci; brothers, Arthur I. Alford, Jr., Jeff Thomas Alford, Louis Ray Alford, Griffin Rainey Alford, Jackie Alford, and infant brother Ronnie Alford; brothers-in-law, Robert Siesky and John Schilleci; and nephew, Martin Venezia.

The family wishes to express special thanks to his doctors for their excellent care — Dr. Gregory Bell, Dr. Igbal Singh, and Dr. Arnold Barz — as well as the Red River Parish Fire Department, the EMTs, and the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Department for their quick responses and tireless efforts. They also extend heartfelt appreciation to the staff at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home and Christus Hospice for their compassion and care during his final days.