Robert L. Carlis, Sr. was born on April 12, 1938, to the union of Roosevelt and Eunice Carlis. He was the eldest of four children.

Robert attended Cleveland Public Schools until he made the decision to enlist in the U.S. Army in the 11th grade at East Technical High School. Although he was not a fan, he was stationed in Germany with the newly popular Elvis Presley. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Cleveland, where he met and married Alma Jean Terrell. Two children were born to this union.

At an early age, Robert demonstrated a strong work ethic. He sold Checkers Ice Cream from a cooler strapped to his bicycle, scrapped metal, and swept the floors of neighborhood grocery stores to make money.

Growing up in poverty, he desired a better life for his wife and children. He enrolled in night school and received his Graduation Equivalent Diploma in 1963.

While employed at Tobias Paint Company and Lincoln Electric, Rob continued to dream of being his own boss. Over the years, he studied the habits of the business owners he worked for. In 1969, Robert took a leap of faith, invested his bonus from Lincoln Electric, and quit his “good” job to build his own business, Carlis St. Clair-Shaw Car Wash.

In later years, a suggestion from his wife led Robert’s fearless entrepreneurial mindset to convert an empty garage into a convenience store, which later became Mr. C’s Food Mart. Alma’s untimely passing before it’s opening fueled his determination to realize his vision of success. It was around this time that he became known in the neighborhood as “Mr. C.”

As the owner of Mr. C’s Food Mart, he was an example of opportunity and determination in the neighborhood he served. Many of the young black men and women he advised went on to become self-employed business owners. He often provided meals and diapers off his shelves for the less fortunate. Robert was quoted as saying, “They gotta eat too.”

Robert was baptized at the Shaker Heights Community Church in 1980. Soon after, he became a Prince Hall Mason; a member of Excelsior Lodge 11, where he served in many capacities over the years.

Throughout his life, Mr. C enjoyed international travel to experience other cultures. Notably, he enjoyed frequent trips to the Dominican Republic with a group of friends dubbed the “Boca Chica Boys.” This established brotherhood with like-minded men was sacred to him.

Bob never met a slot machine he didn’t like. It was not unusual for him to lock up his store, make a one-tank trip to a casino, then make it back to Cleveland to run the store the next day. His love for the game of chance worked out in his favor more often than not.

Mr. C. was a cool dude who rarely lost his temper. He loved his family and constantly encouraged them to be independent and strive for excellence. He left a blueprint for success that will benefit his family for generations to come. His legacy will live on forever in the lives of his family.

Robert died quietly in the presence of his daughter and caregiver on February 27, 2023, after a long illness. He was preceded in death by his sister, Catherine; wife, Alma; and son, Robert L. Carlis, Jr.

He leaves to mourn his passing, but to forever cherish his memory, his daughter, Yulunda P. Bailey; sister, Eurene Embry; brother, William H. Carlis; sister-in-law, Juanita Hawes; grandchildren, Timonie Bailey, Edward Bailey, III (Khamil), Janay Bailey, and Chelsea Carlis; great-grandchildren, Brian Moore, Jr., Julian Harris, Kai Bailey, and Edward Bailey IV; son-in-law Edward Bailey, Jr.; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.