Robert Louis Gordy

Robert Louis Gordy Sr. passed away peacefully of natural causes on October 21, 2022 at the age
of 91.

The youngest of eight children, Robert was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 15, 1931 to Berry
"Pop" Gordy, Sr. and Bertha Gordy. Bobby, as he was called growing up, was energetic and had
a keen interest in many things. He pursued boxing, like his brother, Berry, bowling like his
brother, Fuller, academics like his sister, Esther and construction work at his father's plastering
company with his brother Berry, all the while developing his own unique life path. Robert
attended Howard University where he majored in French and became a member of the Kappa
Alpha Psi fraternity. Soon after, he met and married Theresa Joyce Lee and welcomed their first
child, daughter, Roxanna, followed by sons, Robert Jr., Rodney and Fuller II.

Robert's start in the entertainment industry began as a singer under the pseudonym, Bob Kayli,
in 1958 with the pop song Everyone Was There, written by Robert and Berry, which he
performed on the Dick Clark TV show. He theorized that his career was cut short by that
appearance when the pop public realized that Bob Kayli was "colored."
After his brother Berry started Motown Records, Robert left a post office job to join the
venture. He went on to become the company's first stereo engineer, before working for the
Quality Control department. When Robert's beloved sister, Loucye Gordy Wakefield, died
prematurely in 1965, Robert stepped up to fill her position of manager of Motown's music
publishing company, Jobete Music. Songs by writers Smokey Robinson,
Holland/Dozier/Holland, Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, as well as his brother Berry
and many others, fueled the explosive success of Motown Records and Jobete Music. By 1971
Robert was promoted to vice president/general manager of Jobete which boasted over 5,000
song copyrights under its roof, 100 writers under contract and a number of #1 Publisher
awards. He joined the board of the National Music Publishers' Association, and actively
participated in industry seminars and conferences, breaking color lines and records along the
way. He retired from the post in 1985.

Robert L. (or Uncle Bobby), as he was affectionately known, was a true renaissance man,
talented and accomplished in any arena he entered. Always athletically gifted, he loved and
excelled at golf, tennis, distance running and other physical activities. He was a photographer
and polished artist with paints or pencil, a self-taught pianist, an enthralling story teller and
avid reader able to speak knowledgeably on a myriad of topics. He was handsome and
charismatic as evidenced by his sole big screen role as "Hawk" opposite Diana Ross in the
feature film Lady Sings The Blues, produced by his brother.
Robert gave big hugs, warm kisses and shared genuine joy and laughter with all who were
fortunate enough to share his space. Through his words of wisdom, such as "Be sad until you're
not sad anymore" or "Go with your first mind," he always had a positive outlook born of
confidence, integrity and care for others. His joie de vivre was unparalleled, quick to sing any
style of song on key or recite lines from his favorite movies. Kind, adventurous, protective,
generous, cool, flirtatious, worldly, complex, funny, curious, film-buff, trail-blazer, loving
brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend are just some of the
words that still cannot express all that Robert was and will remain.

Robert was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Theresa, and son, Robert Jr. He will live on
through his children Roxanna (Alan Finley), Rodney (Molly) and Fuller II as well as
granddaughter Michelle "Micki" Johnson (Reginald Sr.) and her children Reggie Jr., Robert and
Rylie; grandson David Wright and his children Dayon and Ta'lar; grandson Robert Errol Wright
and his children Jasmine, Raegan and Rylan, grandson Christian, step-grandson Drew Maxwell,
dear friend Pam Davis and her daughter Staci Davis, and last surviving sibling, Berry Gordy, in
addition to numerous extended family members and friends.