We celebrate the life of our good friend, father, husband and grandfather, Blake Lewis (Skipper) Duncan who went to meet his Lord on short notice this last Tuesday, February 11, 2020. Skipper was born August 28, 1941 in San Angelo, Texas, the only child of Ruby Lewis Duncan and Blake Vernon Duncan. He was a young 78.
Skipper graduated from San Angelo Central High School in 1959 and from Texas Tech University in 1963 with an Agriculture Degree. After college, he returned home to operate his family ranch. Skipper spent many years continuously working to improve the ranch by participating in numerous brush control, seeding, and soil conservation practices with assistance from his great friend, Bob Steger. Skipper pioneered, in West Texas, the Savory Rotational Grazing method on his ranch in the early 1970’s.
From the mid 70’s through the 90’s, Skipper raised purebred Beefmaster cattle that he sold from Texas to Nevada. Skipper’s great love of people led him to create the Adobe Lodge Hunting Camp in 1985. Skipper never met a stranger and truly enjoyed his many and varied hunters telling their stories around his big lodge campfire.
Skipper grew up at a time when people were story tellers, and he was among the best. He authored two books, “Characters and Critters” and “Tales Galore”, both collections of true and funny things that happened to him and his friends. While some folks collect objects, Skipper collected a vast array of friends from all walks of life. For over 30 years he hosted “The Cowboy Cook Off” at the Adobe Lodge where a tight knit group of his friends came to cook and solve the world’s problems year after year. Skipper liked to leave a problem or two unresolved every year so there would be a reason to come back.
Skipper was a charter member of the Wednesday Morning Bible Study Class held at the First Presbyterian Church for over 30 years. His sage and comical comments could be counted on to bring a laugh through the most serious of studies.
He was a past President of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, having served the Rodeo and Steer Roping in every possible way for many years. He was an avid and accomplished calf roper from the 1960’s through the 1980’s. Starting in the 1970’s, Skipper ran marathons to alleviate the symptoms of the asthma he had dealt with since childhood. He once wrote a letter to the Livestock Weekly, opining that not only was running good for people, but that “it as the only sport commensurate with the profitability of the livestock business as it costs only a pair of good shoes to participate.”
Skipper loved music, bluegrass most particularly. He was a serious and largely self-taught musician, most partial to the guitar and banjo. After teaching himself the harmonica, he was thrilled to find that his first two audience members were able to identify the song, Buttons and Bows. Skipper loved to play and sing with his fellow musicians.
For 36 years, he and his wife, Jeri have made San Angelo their home. He is survived by Jeri, his son Blake Duncan and wife, Donna. Stepsons Jim Holt and wife, Jennifer, Randy Holt and wife Tallyn. Grandchildren Wyatt Duncan and Abbey Duncan, Cody, Emery, Houston, Taplin and Laramie Holt.
He was preceded in death by his parents Blake Vernon Duncan and Ruby Lewis Duncan, and his daughter, Nancy Kathleen Duncan. He was also predeceased by his 35-year-old Burro named Nevada which he brought 1600 miles from, you guessed it, Nevada.
A Visitation will be held Friday, February 14, 2020 from 5:00pm-7:00pm at First Presbyterian Church. The Funeral Service will be 11:00am, Saturday, February 15, 2020 at First Presbyterian Church with burial to follow at Knickerbocker Cemetery.

Ted’s suffering ended as he passed from this life on February 10, 2020. He was a man of many gifts and talents. He craved knowledge and loved to learn and teach. He loved to work with his hands, to build things. He was a writer and had a passion for philosophy. He was a good man; a good friend and he loved his family. He was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, son and friend. He touched many lives and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents whom he loved and adored—Ted and Lucy Cantu. He left behind two daughters –Natalie Nichole Olvera and Jessamy Rae Whittington – who were his pride and joys. He also left behind three grandchildren – Jalen Cruz Olvera, Mikhail Uriah McVinnie and Alexa Raquel Kaufmann – who were the “apples of his eye.”
He is survived by brother, Frank Cantu and sisters Linda Lau, (Lou), Kelli Cantu (Danny) and Cindy Baca (Manuel). He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews as well as cousins and friends. Our special thanks to Frank Cantu, who took exceptionally good care of Ted. Our thanks to HOSA for their caring support to Ted and our family.
A Memorial service will be held 6:00pm, Friday, February 14, 2020 at Harper Funeral Home Chapel.

Ann Baum Cross, 87, of San Angelo, passed away February 7, 2020, at New Haven Assisted Living and Memory Care. Graveside services will be held at Cross Plains Memorial Park, Cross Plains, Callahan, Texas, on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at 11:00 AM

A lifelong Texan, Ann was born January 26, 1933, in Big Spring, Texas, to Parker and Vera Baum. She attended Cross Plains High School, Howard Payne University, and Angelo State University, where she earned her master’s degree.

Ann taught school in Ballinger, Santa Anna, and Graford. She retired from teaching in 1992 and moved to San Angelo in 1994. She was a member of the Newtimers Club and participated in their bridge group, book interest group, and the style show. She was a voracious reader and enjoyed a well-turned phrase. She was known for her ability to keep track of several storylines at once, and she usually had at least two books going at the same time. To Ann, books were a “passport to everywhere you wanted to go but lacked the pocket book to take you.” She enjoyed a prodigious vocabulary and was a formidable and cutthroat Scrabble player.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Parker and Vera; her two brothers, Billy Parker Baum and Harrell Clark Baum; her late husband Wilfred A Cross and former husband, James R (Bob) Henderson (father of her three children).

She is survived by her sister Martha Baum Killough and husband Warner of Weatherford; her children: Lisa Henderson Baetz and husband Charles of Bedford, Mark Henderson and wife Sharon of Keller, Todd Henderson and wife Beth of San Angelo, Raymond Cross and wife Andrea of Abilene, James Cross and wife Leslie of Coleman, Teri Coburn and husband Bob Clarkston of Colleyville. Her enduring legacy is her grandchildren: Stephen Cross and wife Brenda of Canyon, Karen Cross Gordy and husband Clay of Lubbock, and Mark Gordy of Bedford; Carly Henderson Morrow and husband Riley of Abilene, Laney, Zachary, and Nathan Henderson of Keller; Jake, Matt, and AnaClaire Henderson of San Angelo, Aaron Willman and wife Kayla of Midland, Brandon Willman and Clayton Willman of San Angelo; and eight great-grandchildren.

The family requests that any contributions in Ann’s name be made to New Haven Assisted Living and Memory Care of San Angelo, St. Gabriel's Hospice and Palliative Care of San Angelo, Cross Plains Senior Center of Cross Plains, or a favorite charity.

Frank Deloria, 98, passed away Sunday, February 2, 2020, in Jackson, Mississippi.

Public viewing will be from 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM Thursday, February 13, 2020, at Robert Massie Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM Friday, February 14, 2020, at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel wit Rev. J. T. Tucker, chaplain at Shannon Medical Center, officiating. Burial will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Mr. Deloria was born March 25, 1921, in Plattsburgh, New York to his parents, Willis and Pauline Mary Bonnett Deloria.

Frank was a veteran of the US Army serving during WWII. He served in the 101st Airborne Division that invaded Normandy, France. He was captured by the Nazi's and was held captive for three years as a prisoner of war. After his release, Frank said one of his greatest moments of life was seeing the Statue of Liberty in person on his way home, he started crying, because he never thought he'd ever see it again.

Frank married the love of his life, Ann Evans in 1953 in Collins, Mississippi. His term of endearment for her was “Mudge” and he said the proudest moment of his life was marrying her.

He has been a resident of San Angelo since the early 1960s. He worked for Terrill Manufacturing for many years before retiring. That, however, was hardly the end of his working life. After retiring from Terrill, he began working for the Thrifty Nickel Publication and as a crossing guard for the school system. Still searching for more to do to keep himself busy, he came across an ad in the paper about the prison hiring. He didn’t think they would hire him, but they did. He retired at age 90 from the Eden Detention Center.

Frank lived his life to the fullest, he began riding motor cross at fifty-one, he waterskied until he was eighty; and had his final tandem sky dive at the age of 86. Throughout it all; his family was always the most important thing to him. He cherished being surrounded by his loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann in 2008; by a grandson, who had been adopted by Frank and Ann, Teddy Willis Deloria; and by and great-grandson, James Austin Harris.

Survivors include his three children, Bobby Herrington and his wife Joyce of Mississippi, Larry Deloria of Lubbock, and Ted “Bear” Deloria of San Angelo; his grandchildren, Elizabeth “Sugar Babe” Baxter and her husband Steve of San Angelo, Larry Frank Wiley of Denton, Tanna Deloria of San Angelo, Nancy Lassiter of Florida, Misty Gray of Dallas, Ricky Herrington, Sussie Herrington, Angelo Pickering and Debbie Harrison all of Mississippi; and his great grandchildren, Kelly and Conner Baxter.

Charles M. Thompson, 87, of San Angelo, Texas, passed away February 10, 2020. He was born in Tankersley, Texas on June 15, 1932. Charles graduated from San Angelo High School. He was married to Wanda Carrol Thompson on December 20, 1958. Charles worked for Ford Brothers Sheet Metal and as a mechanic for the Texas Department of Transportation. He was a member of Southgate Church of Christ, and had a passion for caring for his little old ladies (church bus.) He is survived by his wife, Carrol Thompson; daughter, Alicia Perry and husband Edwin Perry of Veribest; sons, Melvin L. Thompson of Melissa, Texas, Virgil R. Thompson and wife Teresa of Burleson, Texas; grandchildren, Kaleigh Beaty, Randall Melvin Thompson, Lillian Hester, Tarala Gibson, Joshua Thompson, Johnathan Thompson, Mason Thompson, Melanie and Keith; brothers and sisters, Ruth Spruell of Goldhwaite, W. Lawrence Thompson of San Angelo, Leonard Thompson of Greely, Colorado, Robert Thompson of Conroe, Ralph Thompson of McKinney and Harold Thompson of Ozona. A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 14, 2020 at Johnson’s Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Southgate Church of Christ, 528 Country Club Rd, San Angelo, TX. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com

FAMILY

• Wanda Carrol Thompson, Wife
• Alicia Perry (Edwin Perry), Daughter
• Melvin L. Thompson, Son
• Virgil R. Thompson (Teresa), Son
• Kaleigh Beaty, Grandchild
• Randall Melvin Thompson, Grandchild
• Lillian Hester, Grandchild
• Tarala Gibson, Grandchild
• Joshua Thompson, Grandchild
• Johnathan Thompson, Grandchild
• Mason Thompson, Grandchild
• Melanie, Grandchild
• Keith, Grandchild
• Ruth Spruell, Sister
• W. Lawrence Thompson, Brother
• Leonard Thompson, Brother
• Robert Thompson, Brother
• Ralph Thompson, Brother
• Harold Thompson, Brother

Sandra “Sandy” Gober, age 79, of San Angelo, TX passed away on Monday morning February 10th, 2020.

She was born in El Paso, TX on July 11th, 1940 to Eddie and Vera Fellabaum.

Sandy graduated from Balmorhea High School, after which she became a talented and hospitable waitress and a mother to two children, Gil Ray Huelster and Lew Allen Heulster.

She is preceded in death by her parents Eddie and Vera Fellabaum and her son Lew Allen Huelster.

She is survived by her son Gil Ray Huelster and her grandchild Nicole Leanne Workman.

Sandy was dearly loved and will be truly missed.

Martha Christine Warden was born on April 1, 1947 and passed away on February 5, 2020.

Charles Emil Pechacek, born September 12, 1941, of San Angelo passed away on February 10, 2020 in his home. Charles graduated from Norton High school. After graduation Charles moved to St. Lawrence where he worked as a water well driller. In November of 1961, Charles married his childhood sweetheart, the love of his life, Marie Niehues of Norton.
Charles farmed for 55 years in the St. Lawrence community, before retiring to San Angelo in 2014. Charles was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He loved to play dominoes, roll dice, raise Berkshire pigs, and gamble in Wendover. To many friends he was known as “Charlie P”, and to his grandchildren “Pappy”.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents Oscar and Dora Pechacek, sister Laverne and husband Pat Hall. He is survived by his wife Marie of San Angelo, son Curtis Pechacek of Stanton, daughter Michele and husband Stephen Halfmann of Miles, surviving also are grandchildren, Leland Pechacek of Big Spring, Taylor Pechacek of Hobbs New Mexico, Brandi and husband Joe Takea of Loving New Mexico, Justin Halfmann of San Angelo, Troy Halfmann and wife Hannah of Bay City, as well as Leah and husband Hayden Ray of Miles. He is also survived by his great grandchild, Drake Pechacek (son of Leland) of Big Spring, and his sister Sharon and husband Bill Baird of Ballinger. He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be held at Holy Angels Catholic Church for family and friends on February the 11th at 5:30 pm, with the rosary following immediately after at 6:30. A catholic mass will be celebrated by Father Charles Greenwell on Wednesday, February 12th at 10:00 am, with the burial service led by Father Ariel Lagunilla held in Rowena at the St. Joseph cemetery immediately following mass.
In addition to masses, memorials can be made to Rowena Catholic Cemetery, 506 Edwards St. Rowena, TX, 76865, or Kindred Hospice; 116 West Concho Ave., San Angelo TX, 76903.
Pallbearers will be his six grandchildren; Leland, Taylor, Brandi, Justin, Troy and Leah. Honorary pallbearers; Melvin Pechacek, LeRoy Hoelscher, Edward Poehls, Stephen Halfmann, Hayden Ray, Joe Takea, and Kent McMillian.