Dates
Aldon D. Ethridge died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, in San Angelo, Texas. Aldon, the oldest son of Fred and Esther Ethridge, was born on Dec. 23, 1919, in Mills County, Texas, near Mullin. He joined the Army Air Corps in September 1939, and was stationed at Randolph Air Force Base near San Antonio. He married Laura E. Mills Ethridge in 1941. She preceded him in death in 2010 after 69 years of marriage. They were stationed at several Air Force bases in Texas and two overseas assignments, one in Alaska and one in Puerto Rico. Aldon retired from the Air Force in February 1960 with rank of M\SGT. He and his family moved to San Angelo where he later worked for the San Angelo Independent School District in the warehouse until his retirement in 1974. He was a member of the Church of Christ. He was an avid "rock hound" and lapidarist who was active in the local Gem and Mineral Society of San Angelo. He constructed much of his own equipment to cut and polish rocks himself and turned many rocks into beautiful objects. Aldon appreciated the beauty of nature. He is survived by one son, Gordon D. Ethridge of Lago Vista; one daughter, Victoria Ethridge Gaston of San Angelo; son-in-law Buddy Gaston of San Angelo; four grandchildren, Michelle Ethridge of Taylor, Meredith Ethridge of Round Rock, Doran Gaston of San Angelo and Leslie Gaston Ashlock and husband Ben Ashlock of San Angelo; four great-grandchildren, Trey and Hailey Meaker of Taylor, Sierra Cortez of Round Rock and Drew Ashlock of San Angelo; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two sisters, Shirley Welch of Goldthwaite and Juanita Henry of Denton; and two brothers, Eualdene Ethridge of Goldthwaite and Billy Ethridge of El Paso. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Rudolph Ethridge and James Ethridge; and twin sons Ronald and Donald Ethridge. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, at Johnson's Funeral Home. Graveside service, with full military honors, will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, 2014, in Oakview Cemetery, in Mullin, Texas, (near Goldthwaite, Texas) with the Rev. Bill Hodge officiating. He was a loving and devoted husband and father who was the true essence of a gentle man. He will be dearly missed. His family wishes to thank Dr. Steven McCloy and Dr. Chris Vanderzant, as well as his longtime caregiver, Rosa Ibarra, and the staff at Sagecrest Allison House for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Oakview Cemetery, care of Brenda Phelps, 411 S. 3rd St., Mullin, TX, 76864; or a favorite charity. Family and friends may sign an online register book at johnsons-funeralhome.com.