John Robert Icard

John Robert “Bob” Icard passed away peacefully on June 21, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born on July 18, 1945, in Burke County, North Carolina, to Claude M. and Blanche S. Icard. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Larry M. Icard. Bob graduated from North Carolina State University with degrees in Metallurgical Engineering and Engineering Management. During his time at NC State, he participated in the ROTC program and, upon graduation, was commissioned into the United States Air Force, where he attended flight school. He began his professional career as a member of the startup team for the Westinghouse Power Generation Turbine Components Plant in Rural Hall, North Carolina. Throughout his career, he held a variety of manufacturing management and business consulting positions, with a focus on process engineering and design. He was respected for his knowledge, leadership, and commitment to excellence. An avid golfer, Bob found great joy in sharing his love of the game with others, especially his grandsons, whom he loved teaching and encouraging. He also enjoyed woodworking, photography, and, in recent years, exploring the world of 3D printing. Bob is survived by his beloved wife, Janice Hurlocker Icard. This August, they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. He is also survived by his daughters, Cynthia Oakey; Gretchen Brown (Tim); and Paige Taliak (Jim); and by his cherished grandchildren, Jack and Will Oakey, Grace Brown, and Ellie, Griffin, and Ben Taliak. One of Bob’s greatest joys in life was watching his daughters become mothers and seeing the love, values, and traditions of family passed on to the next generation. Nothing made him prouder than his family. Bob was a longtime member of Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church, where he formed many treasured friendships and found a community of faith.

A private celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina. Those who knew Bob will remember a man of quiet strength, kindness, and deep generosity. He was caring and thoughtful, giving freely of his time, encouragement, and love. Endlessly curious, Bob had a passion for learning and understanding the world around him; if he encountered something he did not know, he would spend hours researching every detail until he gained a thorough understanding. Though soft-spoken, his wisdom, integrity, and steady presence left a lasting impression on all who knew him. He was deeply spiritual, immensely proud of his family, and grateful for the relationships that enriched his life. His legacy of love, faith, humility, and lifelong learning will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved him.