Douglas Eugene “Rusty” McRee, 62, of Granbury died Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at home with his family. He was diagnosed with cancer only two weeks before.
Service: 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Dido Cemetery in Dido.
Rusty was born Jan. 20, 1955, in Fort Worth. He enjoyed life and was a drag boat racing fan.
He is survived by two children, Derrell Smith and Singleton McLaughlin; sister Jackie Smith and several nieces and nephews.
Wilma Driskill DeRoos passed away Sunday, May 14, 2017, in Granbury.
Graveside service: 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2017, Pony Creek Cemetery, Erath County, Texas. Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, Wiley Funeral Home, Granbury.
Wilma Driskill DeRoos was born to Floyd and Beulah Robison Driskill on March 28, 1931, in the Pony Creek Community near Stephenville, Texas. She attended the Pony Creek school for elementary grades and then went on to graduate from Stephenville High School in 1948.
After high school Wilma moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where she attended Brantley Draughon Business College. While working in Fort Worth, she met her husband to be, Gerald DeRoos. Gerald was stationed at Carswell AFB and originally from Springfield, South Dakota. They were married Feb. 5, 1954. A daughter, Phyllis, was born Sept. 13, 1958.
In 1971, the DeRoos family moved to Granbury where Wilma worked for Mitchell’s Department Store for 17 years until retirement in 1989.
Wilma was a member of Acton Baptist Church. She was a faithful Christian and prayer warrior who read her Bible every day. She was a loving wife, mother and friend who always focused on helping others. She cared for both of her parents until their deaths: Floyd in 1963 and Beulah in 1997. She loved the outdoors especially birds and flowers. With the help of her husband, Gerald, she maintained her family farm raising cattle until her death.
Survivors: Husband Gerald; daughter Phyllis; son-in-law James Bolton; sister-in-law Ruth Berndt of Avon, South Dakota; several cousins, nieces and nephews; special family friends, Mark Zeeman and Terence Zeeman.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the United Way of Hood County, P.O. Box 1611, Granbury, Texas 76048.
Arrangements by Wiley Funeral Home, Granbury.
Sarah Ann Ridley , 73, of Granbury passed away Saturday, May 6, 2017, in Tampa, Florida, after a short illness.
Celebration of Life: 2 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2017, VFW Post 7835, Granbury. Interment will follow at Bushnell National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Sarah was born Dec. 4, 1943, to Wiley Eugene and Allie Bell (nee Trammell) Ridley Sr. in Weinert.
She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, B.A., Trish, Gene, Beatrice, Maxine, Sidney and Wayne.
Sarah was a Gulf War U. S. Army veteran. In her retirement she worked and volunteered for the VFW holding many positions in the organization. She was a past Commander at post 7835.
Survivors include sisters Ruth Williams of Sacramento, California, and Sue Renfro of Fort Worth; son Terry Osborne (wife Sylvia ) of Denton, their children, Maricela and Xavier; daughter Sharon Cherry (husband Allen) of Tampa, Florida; grandsons Chris Cherry of Tampa, Eric Cherry (wife Amanda) of Norfolk, Virginia, and AJ Cherry (wife Hailey) of Anchorage, Alaska; many more nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Donald Lynn Hardin, 66, of Lipan passed away peacefully in his sleep, leaving this world and went home to be with his Lord May 11, 2017.
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Monday, May 15, 2017, Lipan Community Center, with Bill Shockley officiating.
He was born June 1, 1950, in Monahans to Floyd and Beatrice Eggleston Hardin. Lynn attended schools in Odessa. He met and later married the love of his life, Lennie D. Cochran, Jan. 1, 1970, in Odessa.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1972 – 1978, where he became a member of the Military Police and worked as a dog handler with the K-9 Unit. He had been promoted to the rank of Sgt prior to being Honorably Discharged.
After his discharge, he and his family moved to Lipan. He loved spending time with his family and attending the many different sporting events they were involved in. He was a member of the Baptist Church, worked in the oilfields, was a member of the Masonic Order and loved to play golf.
In addition to his parents, Lynn was preceded in death by brothers, Floyd Hulan, Leon and Odell; a sister, Barbara Brooks; and his father-in-law, J.D. Cochran.
Left behind to cherish Lynn’s memory are his wife of 47 years, Lennie D Hardin; daughters Windy (Les) Herod and Stormy Hardin; grandchildren Emily (Bradley) Thompson, Daniel Herod, Christian (Megan) Peden and Travis Hardin; great-grandchildren Trevor Thompson and Vera Lynn Peden (due soon); three sisters and a brother.
Memorial contributions can be made to Concerned Citizens of Jack County or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements made by Wiley Funeral Chapel, Lipan.
Blake Eugene LeBlanc, 36, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Granbury.
Celebration of his life: 11 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2017, at Stonewater Church in Granbury.
Blake was born on July 1, 1980, in Opelousas, Louisiana, to Eugene and Wanda LeBlanc. He married Jennifer Holland on June 7, 2008. Together they raised their two sons, Tyson and Teagan. He loved nothing more than spending time with his boys. Blake was a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle.
Blake enjoyed games of all types; from memorizing Trivial Pursuit to watching the Texas Rangers and playing video games. He was an excellent grill-master and host, always eager to share food, silly humor and his quick-wit with family and friends.
Blake will be dearly missed by his wife: Jennifer LeBlanc, sons: Tyson LeBlanc and Teagan LeBlanc, parents: Gene and Wanda LeBlanc, sisters: Dawn Wyatt and husband Brett and Trista LePore, eight nieces and nephews, father and mother-in-law: Larry and Terry Holland, and numerous other family members. Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Memorial donations may be made to the LeBlanc family benefit account at First Financial Bank.
Arrangements made by Wiley Funeral Home.
Ronny Edwin Pulliam, 70, formerly of Granbury, passed from this life Saturday, May 13, 2017, in Antlers, Oklahoma.
Services: 10 a.m. Thursday, May 18, 2017, Hall Freewill Baptist Church. Interment followed at Hall Cemetery, Hall, Oklahoma.
Family night: Wednesday, May 17, 2017, from 6-8 p.m. at Burkhart Funeral Service, Antlers, Oklahoma.
Ronny was born July 10, 1946, to Morris Edwin and Helen Louise (Hackney) Pulliam in Fort Worth.
Ronny served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam war. He married his wife, Vicky Harvey, Feb. 18, 2003, in Greenville, South Carolina. They spent several wonderful years together. Ronny enjoyed spending his time being outdoors hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed being with his family when he got the chance. Ronny will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
Ronny is preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Helen Pulliam.
He leaves behind a loving family that includes his wife, Vicky Pulliam of the home; children Billy McDaniel of Waverly, Kansas, Wesley McDaniel of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Nathan McDaniel of Granbury, Zackary McDaniel of Antlers, Oklahoma, and Miranda Pulliam of Vidalla, Georgia; numerous grandchildren, other relatives, and a host of friends.
Blake Eugene LeBlanc, 36, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Granbury.
Celebration of his life: 11 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2017, at Stonewater Church in Granbury.
Blake was born on July 1, 1980, in Opelousas, Louisiana, to Eugene and Wanda LeBlanc. He married Jennifer Holland on June 7, 2008. Together they raised their two sons, Tyson and Teagan. He loved nothing more than spending time with his boys. Blake was a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle.
Blake enjoyed games of all types; from memorizing Trivial Pursuit to watching the Texas Rangers and playing video games. He was an excellent grill-master and host, always eager to share food, silly humor and his quick-wit with family and friends.
Blake will be dearly missed by his wife: Jennifer LeBlanc, sons: Tyson LeBlanc and Teagan LeBlanc, parents: Gene and Wanda LeBlanc, sisters: Dawn Wyatt and husband Brett and Trista LePore, eight nieces and nephews, father and mother-in-law: Larry and Terry Holland, and numerous other family members. Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Memorial donations may be made to the LeBlanc family benefit account at First Financial Bank.
Arrangements made by Wiley Funeral Home.
Jessica Lynn Frost, 30, of Hood County passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family and friends, and went to be with her Lord, April 28, 2017.
Services not announced.
Born April 14, 1987, she was the mother of two precious sons.
Jessica was beautiful, smart, funny, independent, generous, and had the biggest heart anyone was blessed to know.
She was always the first one in line to help; even those she didn’t know. Her giving spirit and unconditional love allowed her to lead by example. She had an infectious laugh whose smile brightened the day of anyone around her.
Sadly we say goodbye Jessica. We will miss you everyday and are comforted knowing we will see you again in the Kingdom of God.
Survivors include son, Rowen James Laird, 4; mother Lisa Diane and Ken Williams of Hood County; aunts and uncles Craig and Kathy Pruitt of Arlington, and Diana and Sam Hershner of Florida; cousins Audrey, Craig, Cory, Kendall, Matt, Devyn, Kaytlin, Liam, Gracie, Huxley and Michael; and grandfather Lucky Sumners of Florida.
She was preceded in death by her son, Gavyn Richard Lee Laird, 5 weeks; aunt Anna Nowlen and grandmother Paula Sumners.
James “Jim” Robinson, 71, of Granbury passed away May 16, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel with burial following at Spring Creek Cemetery.
Visitation: One hour prior to service.
He was born May 20, 1945, to James Hurshel and Margaret Stoneburner Robinson in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Jim was a faithful member of the Church of Christ. He loved photography, travel and his wife above all else. His parents and infant brother, Ronald Charles Robinson preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Barbara Jean Fickling Robinson; sister Suzanne Potter (husband Gil); brother Dan Robinson (wife Cheryl); five nephews and one niece; and a host of other family and friends.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Old Granbury Road Church of Christ, P.O. Box 5322, Granbury, Tx 76049.
Betty Jean Stanfill, 81, passed away Monday, May 15, 2017, in Granbury.
Graveside service: 2 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2017, South Bethel Cemetery, Braggs, Oklahoma.
Visitation: 8 a.m.-Noon Wednesday, May 17, 2017, Wiley Funeral Home in Granbury and 8 a.m.-Noon Thursday, May 18, 2017, Lescher-Millsap Funeral Home, Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Betty was born July 3, 1935, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to Matthew and Carlotta Williams. She loved to play bingo and crochet. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinal baseball fan. She was a 20-year breast cancer survivor.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband R.V. Stanfill; father of her children, Billy Watkins; two grandchildren, two brothers and six sisters.
Betty is survived by her children: Kay Crossland (husband Ronnie), Jimmy Watkins (wife Virginia) and Billy Watkins; six grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; and sister, Ruth Singleton (husband Dale).
Arrangements made by Wiley Funeral Home.
Joan Marie (Jo) Schoepf, 81, of Granbury passed away suddenly May 9, 2017, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Celebration of Life: 3 p.m. Sunday, May 28, 2017, Acton United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Joan’s name, 663 Glen Lake Drive, Coppell, TX 75019.
Jo was born June 22, 1935, in Bridgewater, South Dakota, and although she lived in many states she was a resident of Rapid City for 17 years and lived in Granbury for the last 20-plus years.
Jo was married to the love of her life, Loy Schoepf, who passed away in 2008. She was a fantastic mother to daughters CandE Wright and Sheryl Brazil, and favorite son, Kevin Schoepf and an even better mother-in-law (because she always took their side) to Steve Wright, Jim Brazil and Jean Schoepf. All of her grandchildren and their spouses (19) called her Grandma Jo and great-grandchildren (22) called her JoJo. They all adored her as she always had a smile and she never failed to give a word of wisdom whether you wanted it or not. She would play a “getcha” game with the little ones which always made them laugh. Her sisters, Connie Scarbrough, Lana Bartling and Donna Mae Benson considered her their best friend and her advice was taken seriously, most of the time.
Jo was best known for her ability to become friends with everyone she met. She loved life to the fullest and her energy for visiting and helping people was endless. She loved to dance, laugh and her love for God and family was admired by all. She lived what she preached, felt blessed each and every day, and always believed in God’s plan for her and the family.
Jo was preceded by several other loved ones including brother Roger Bartling; brothers-in-law Harold Scarbrough and Wally Benson; sisters-in-law Carole Ann Hart and Delores Hutchinson; grandson Jason Johnson; and great-granddaughter Chloe Harp.
Helen Shorter, 82, formerly of Granbury, left this earth to be with her King and Savior, Jesus Christ, and reunited with her heavenly family May 19, 2017.
Memorial service: 11 a.m. Friday, May 26, 2017, at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Greenville.
She lived in Greenville, Granbury, Dallas, and Corpus Christie as well as a “traveling gypsy” to various other locations including Ashland City, Tennessee, Upper Marlboro, Maryland and Nassau Bahamas while married to her late husband, Bill, who was in the airline business with Braniff & E-Systems/Raytheon.
She was a devoted Episcopalian, served on the Altar Guild and member of The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK) since 1985 where she helped organize Chapters at the Good Shepherd Church in Acton/Granbury and Saint Paul’s in Greenville. She also helped establish the Lake Granbury Welcome Service/Newcomers Club in 1978. Helen volunteered at several hospitals and at the Colonial Lodge Assisted Living in Greenville where she chose her final residence.
She enjoyed traveling, gardening, playing card games and spending quality time with her family and friends. She also loved her poodles, collecting angels, watching Hallmark movies and always cheered for the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers.
Helen leaves behind her son, Jerry Joe (wife Gladys) of Lake Fork; daughter Jill Davis (husband Michael) of Lake Granbury; older sister Willie Bell of Garland; niece Linda Gray and companion Frank Buck of Mesquite; cousin Lan Bell Vothang (husband Hao) of Carrollton; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a great many wonderful friendships.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in remembrance of Helen Shorter to the Memorial Fund, c/o Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, 8320 Jack Finney Blvd., Greenville, TX 75402.
On May 16, 2017, with family surrounding her, Nancy Ann Covington, 82, of Granbury left the restraints of life on earth to join her Lord and Savior in heaven.
Memorial service: Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Lakeside Baptist Church with a graveside service Monday, May 22, in Sudan, Texas.
Nancy was born in Toledo, Ohio, July 26, 1934, to Carlon and Grace Miller. Nancy married Tom on June 26, 1954, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They went to Alaska as newlyweds and remained there until they retired. They homesteaded 40 acres and helped establish a Baptist church near their homestead.
Nancy lived in Ohio, New Mexico, Alaska and Texas. She was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury and lived life in honor of her Lord and her family. She leaves behind her husband of 63 years, Tom Covington; five children, 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Nancy’s immediate survivors are Tom Covington of Granbury; sons: Randy Covington of Anchorage, Alaska; Kerry Covington of Itasca; Allan Covington of Hartsville, South Carolina; and Brad Covington of LaPine, Oregon; daughter Tina Covington Barnwell of Austin and brother, Richard Miller of Edinburg.
Arrangements made by Wiley Funeral Home.
George Lee Mercer, 56, of Aledo, loving husband and father, philanthropist and businessman died Thursday, May 18, 2017, after a short, but courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral: 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at New River Fellowship Church in Hudson Oaks. Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park, Fort Worth.
George was the second youngest child of Tommy George Mercer and Jo McNeil Mercer, in a family of eight and was raised in the historic River Crest area of Fort Worth.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Miracle League Parker County, 120 El Chico Trail, Willow Park, Texas 76087.
George graduated from Fort Worth Country Day School making many lifelong friends while lettering in track, basketball and football. After high school George attended UT Austin, where he pledged Delta Tau Delta Fraternity and he later transferred to Arizona State. During these times, George helped his father in his many businesses learning and honing a sharp business mind. In 1993 during a tough economic recession, George took over the small family pipeline company, TG Mercer, and grew it into the largest pipeline logistics company in North America, with hundreds of employees and locations worldwide. He enjoyed working in the business with other family members, including brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and their spouses.
Family life was as important to George as his business and he spent many hours traveling and vacationing with the love of his life Amy and his four children, Vincent, Chelsea, Macy and Tommie. They enjoyed many happy times at their VCMT Ranch in Cisco, Texas at the family’s River Cabin in Horatio, Arkansas and at their mountain home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. George was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing excursions in Alaska, Mexico, Argentina and Costa Rica as well as at the family ranch. He enjoyed golf with his wife, Amy and also loved to watch his children participate in sporting and school activities. Whether it was political sparring with Chelsea or her endeavor in brewing beer in Colorado or his time watching his beloved son, Vincent swinging for the fences in Miracle League baseball, Macy cheerleading or pitching for her high school softball team or Tommie receiving academic awards or singing, you could find George there, encouraging them to excel. George was also an avid supporter of the Aledo High School Sports programs and could often be seen on the sidelines with his son, Vincent at Aledo football games.
George was a very generous man and believed in sharing the fruits of his success with friends, family and numerous charities. He donated the land and monetary resources in founding Miracle League of Parker County, a baseball league for special needs children and young adults, because George believed “Everyone should have the chance to play a game of baseball.” He and Amy generously support the Freedom House in Weatherford, the Parker County Health Foundation and numerous other area charities. George will be remembered for his generosity, his keen business acumen and his love for a good bottle of wine.
The family would like to especially thank LeAnna Gieger and the Mercer staff for all they have done to take care of our brother and his family.
George was preceded in death by his father, Tommy George Mercer; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. George Edwin Mercer and Mr. and Mrs. Chris McNeil.
George was preceded in death by his father, Tommy George Mercer; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. George Edwin Mercer and Mr. and Mrs. Chris McNeil.
Survivors: Wife, Amy; daughters, Chelsea, Macy and Tommie; son, Vincent; mother, Jo McNeil Mercer; sisters, Sharon Chisholm (husband Dan) of Fort Worth, Christia Mercer of New York City and John and Marty Copeland of Argyle, Texas; brothers, Tommy George Mercer Jr. of Arlington, Texas, Mack Mercer and wife, Patty of Trophy Club, Richard Lovelace of Paris, France, and Dude Lovelace and wife, Renee of Billings, Montana; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Gregory Alan Littlefield, 53, of Glen Rose passed away from injuries due to a motorcycle accident Wednesday, May 24, 2017.
Memorial service: 3 p.m. Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Wiley Funeral Home in Granbury.
Greg is survived by his four children: daughters Alisha Crawford, Kristen Jones, Briana Silvio, son James Silvio; sister Laura Bush, brother Gary Littlefield, and many loving nieces, nephews, grandchildren, extended family and close friends.
Greg was born July 13, 1963, in Abilene. He was a loving father, entrepreneur, engineer, and biking enthusiast. Being active was such a huge part of his life, as well as hosting large family functions at his home. He loved more than anything to have the family and close friends together for holidays, cookouts and crawfish boils. Greg also enjoyed riding his motorcycle and participating in Spartan races.
The family would like to personally thank the staff at John Peter Smith Hospital for the care that was administered during his time there. We could not have asked for a better staff of professionals working during such an intensely emotional period.
In lieu of flowers we ask that you take a moment to visit the Donate Life website and consider either registering to become an organ donor and/or donating to the organization in memory of Greg Littlefield.
Arrangements made by Wiley Funeral Home.
Wilma Faye “Sissie” Wells Stewart, 77, of Granbury went to be with our Lord May 20, 2017.
Memorial: 10 a.m. Thursday, June 8, 2017, Stonewater Church, Granbury.
Sissie was born in Fort Worth on June 15, 1939, to Homer and Ethel Wells.
For many years she bred and showed Persian cats. She helped develop the Exotic Shorthaired Persian. Her hobbies were home decorating, sewing and cooking. She was a published poet.
She is preceded in death by her parents and a child, Davie Branson.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Tommy R. Stewart; daughters: Frances Rogers, Lori Wynihger, Pamala Stewart; son Robby Stewart (wife Lolita); sister Jean Wells Willis; 12 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
She will be greatly missed by all her family.
Lee Ruth Jackson (Dudley) Newman, 88, peacefully passed on to Paradise from Granbury on May 23, 2017.
Graveside service: Jackson Family Cemetery in Mt. Park, Oklahoma, at a later date.
Lee was born April 19, 1929, to Henry and Mina Jackson in Mt. Park, Oklahoma. She was a Christian, artist, and in her younger years she and her sister, Opal, sang in a gospel group known as the Jackson Sisters in the Clovis, New Mexico, area and surrounding states. While working for a Clovis photographer in high school, she acquired the talent of tinting with color the black and white photographs of that day.
She was active in the Mt. View Baptist Church and the La Sertoma Club, Alamogordo, New Mexico. In Granbury she was a member of the American Legion Women’s Association and the Oak Trail Baptist Church.
Lee is survived by her younger brother, Henry Hoyt Jackson of Round Rock; three daughters: Linda Ruth Dudley Todd of Fort Worth, Lonetta Rae Dudley Roberts of Soquel, California, and Debra Ann Dudley Walker of Bakersfield, California; three grandchildren: Tammy Johnson of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Sheila Howard of Mansfield, Texas, and Wesley Walker of Bakersfield, California; nine great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Her husband, Flip Newman of the American Legion, both of her older sisters, Viola Mitchell and Opal Brooks and her first husband and father of her children, Lonnie Dudley, all of Granbury, preceded her in death.
Edward LeMond Brown, 91, of Granbury passed away Monday, May 22, 2017.
Inurnment will take place at Oak Park Cemetery in Claremont, California, at a date to be determined.
Edward, or Ed as he was known by his friends and family, was born March 5, 1926, in El Paso, Texas, to Henry and Marjorie Brown. Growing up in El Paso, he graduated from Austin High School. He attended college at University of New Mexico under the Navy V-12 program to become a U.S. Naval officer. His love of flying led to his transfer to the Navy V-5 program for the Naval Air Force at St. Mary’s College. He later transferred to the Naval Air Station at Alameda, California. World War II ended before his training was completed, so he returned to civilian life as a student at USC. While a student there, he married his childhood sweetheart, Ruby Lee Hadlock in 1946. He finished his final year at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces attaining a degree in aeronautical engineering.
After attaining his degree, he worked for Boeing Aircraft in Seattle, Washington. While living in the Puget Sound area, he continued his love for flying, learning to fly seaplanes. He later went to work for the U.S. Government at White Sands Proving Grounds, New Mexico. And, around that time, Ed and his then brother-in-law, Quinn Boyd, tried their hands at prospecting for…uranium! Soon after, Ed was hired by Aerojet General in Azusa, California, where he worked on a number of rocket propulsion projects, including the rockets that launched our first satellites into orbit. After a 2-year transfer to Aerojet’s Washington D.C. office, he came back to California where Ed and Ruby settled in their home in Claremont, California, where they remained for 33 years. In the early 1960’s Aerojet formed a new division, ITADCO, specializing in international trade and agricultural development of countries around the world. Through that project, Ed was involved in developing a modern cattle industry in Columbia, South America. This was right up Ed’s alley, as he really was a Texas cowboy at heart.
In the 1970’s, Ed left Aerojet and, with a partner, formed his own company, Clean Air Engineering, to develop vapor recovery systems. Those systems were the fore-runners of today’s gas pump vapor recovery nozzles. After his company was sold, he worked for Clayton Manufacturing as a sales representative until his retirement in 1991.
Ed loved music and he loved to dance. He played piano, ukulele and Latin percussion. He encouraged both his boys to play music and bought them their first guitars. The entire family enjoyed snow skiing and water skiing together. Ed made annual trips to Utah for deer hunting. His sons have many fond memories of camping, hunting and fishing with their dad. Ed loved and took great pride in his sons’ and grandchildren’s accomplishments and loved to spend time with them.
In 1993, after Ruby retired, they returned to their Texas roots with a final move to Pecan Plantation in Granbury, Texas. They fulfilled their dream of living on a golf course and near a place where Ed could fish and fly. Throughout the past 24 years, they have made long-lasting friendships and enjoyed themselves in their community—golfing, fishing, playing bingo and bridge. Ed took up oil painting and created some masterpieces that are treasured by his family. Ed particularly enjoyed his role as ad sales manager for the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Assoc.) and membership in the BRSC (Brazos River Sportsman’s Club).
Ed was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Jim Hadlock.
He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Ruby, sister Peggy Browning (Bing) of El Paso, Texas; sister-in-law Sue Hadlock of Rancho Mirage, California; sons: Russ Brown (Karen) of Hemet, California, Jeff Brown (Ann) of Claremont, California; granddaughter Kimi Ogg (Mike) of Santa Rosa, California; grandson Jeffrey Brown (Stephanie); granddaughter Lori Coughran (Steve) of Edmond, Oklahoma; grandson Adam Brown (Katherine) of Hawthorne, California; great-granddaughter Carina Ogg; great-grandsons: Kasen Coughran, Braden Ogg and Karter Coughran; niece Karen Beck (Ken) of Mercer Island, Washington; and great-nephews Bryan and Carson Beck who live in Issaquah, Washington, and Los Angeles, California, respectively. Two more great-grandchildren are expected later this summer from his grandsons’ families.
Ed enjoyed an active life of many interests including golf, hunting, fishing, and painting. He was a proud and wonderful provider, a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather. His presence will be greatly missed by all his family and friends, but his legacy remains within all who had the pleasure to know and learn from him. Our family takes comfort in knowing that Ed was blessed with a long life filled with love. We know that Ed’s faith was strong and that he was at peace at his passing.
Arrangements made by Wiley Funeral Home.
Blake Eugene LeBlanc, 36, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Granbury.
Celebration of his life: 11 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2017, at Stonewater Church in Granbury.
Blake was born on July 1, 1980, in Opelousas, Louisiana, to Eugene and Wanda LeBlanc. He married Jennifer Holland on June 7, 2008. Together they raised their two sons, Tyson and Teagan. He loved nothing more than spending time with his boys. Blake was a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle.
Blake enjoyed games of all types; from memorizing Trivial Pursuit to watching the Texas Rangers and playing video games. He was an excellent grill-master and host, always eager to share food, silly humor and his quick-wit with family and friends.
Blake will be dearly missed by his wife: Jennifer LeBlanc, sons: Tyson LeBlanc and Teagan LeBlanc, parents: Gene and Wanda LeBlanc, sisters: Dawn Wyatt and husband Brett and Trista LePore, eight nieces and nephews, father and mother-in-law: Larry and Terry Holland, and numerous other family members. Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Memorial donations may be made to the LeBlanc family benefit account at First Financial Bank.
Arrangements made by Wiley Funeral Home.
Blake Eugene LeBlanc, 36, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2017, in Granbury.
Celebration of his life: 11 a.m. Friday, May 19, 2017, at Stonewater Church in Granbury.
Blake was born on July 1, 1980, in Opelousas, Louisiana, to Eugene and Wanda LeBlanc. He married Jennifer Holland on June 7, 2008. Together they raised their two sons, Tyson and Teagan. He loved nothing more than spending time with his boys. Blake was a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle.
Blake enjoyed games of all types; from memorizing Trivial Pursuit to watching the Texas Rangers and playing video games. He was an excellent grill-master and host, always eager to share food, silly humor and his quick-wit with family and friends.
Blake will be dearly missed by his wife: Jennifer LeBlanc, sons: Tyson LeBlanc and Teagan LeBlanc, parents: Gene and Wanda LeBlanc, sisters: Dawn Wyatt and husband Brett and Trista LePore, eight nieces and nephews, father and mother-in-law: Larry and Terry Holland, and numerous other family members. Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Blake was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Memorial donations may be made to the LeBlanc family benefit account at First Financial Bank.
Arrangements made by Wiley Funeral Home.