The world is poorer tonight with the sudden loss of Joe “Tom” Davidson. He leaves behind legions of friends and family who will mourn his absence forever.

In addition to being a self-described “Old country lawyer that cared too much, loved too much, and has no regrets,” Tom Davidson had the soul of a poet and a genuine love for his fellow man that manifested in all his endeavors. Whether he was defending a client, raising his kids, or making another friend who would love him for life, Tom’s genuine care for others shone through his every action.

Tom was the fourth child and only son of Joe Tom and Donna Beth Davidson and he grew up on his family ranch in Crockett County, Texas. He was born in San Angelo, Texas on October 15, 1952, attended Ozona High School, and graduated from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas with honors.  He spent many a late night at the SAE house with his brothers creating memories he cherished long after his time in Austin was over.  Joe Tom developed a never-ending love for Texas Football and the city of Austin itself.  After graduating, was drafted into the U.S. Army but had to be dragged off the plane heading to Vietnam because of a forced Medical Discharge. Upon his return from the service, Tom enrolled in The University of Texas School of Law where he would later be honored as a Keaton Fellow and hold a position on the Deans Roundtable. He earned his bar license in 1980 and settled in San Angelo with his family.

Tom was dedicated to his work, so much so that he practiced law until the day of his death in 2022. He never considered retiring because he knew there would always be more people who might need his help. He was widely revered in the criminal law community, earning respect and great victories in cases from capital murders to traffic tickets. There was no case he couldn’t try and no client for whom he would not give his all.

Tom brought a great civility and honor to the practice. He inspired collegiality among the defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges that he worked with. He was unfailingly loyal, the holder of many secrets, and he empathized deeply. These qualities, combined with his genuine pleasure at being among friends and colleagues, made him a favorite in courthouses throughout West Texas.

The 51^st, 119^th, 340^th and 391^st District Judges, in whose courts he worked daily, offered the following:

“Tom was the quintessential West Texas gentleman-lawyer. He had a natural sense of justice and fought for fair resolutions in all his cases. His humble way and worn hat disarmed even the most aggressive adversary or hostile witness. And you could count on his word. Because of his respectful and kind manner, his presence was a blessing to anyone he encountered. He always had an encouraging word and compliment, especially for the “darlin” ladies. We will miss him, and we regret that younger lawyers will not benefit from his example.”

Tom’s heart was as wide open as his beloved West Texas plains. His travels were often spontaneous, and he never declined a road trip.  He was an avid elk, whitetail, and caribou hunter.  Some of his fondest memories were of getting away for weeks, cooking for elk hunts on the Taylor Ranch with his best friends. He had legendary adventures and told grand stories of near-misses and outright disasters. He was sought after as a guest at parties and Happy Hours for the joviality and fun he brought to any gathering. He loved big and he wasn’t afraid to tell you and show you. His joy at being with his friends was tangible.

He loved Scotch whiskey and beautiful women, especially blondes wearing black. “Hello Darlin’“ was his standard greeting and he hugged you like he meant it. His laugh was as big as his heart.

Above all, he loved his family, both his natural children and the many he informally adopted. He once said, “The most important relationship you will ever have is the one you have with your children,” and he cultivated and nurtured us all.

Tom is survived by daughters Dree Davidson Noble and husband Reagon Noble of San Angelo; Brittnae Davidson of Lubbock and their mother Tanya Blanton, Texas; Abbey Gillespie of Oklahoma City and their mother Paula Hohmann Cassell; son, Austin Davidson and Makayla Morris of San Angelo and his mother Debra Davidson-Shumaker and her daughter Paige Guthrie; grandchildren Tripp, Marin, and Reed Noble and Weslee Welch Jr. Sisters Becky Madray and husband Giles, Barbra Walker, and Anne Davidson.  Along with countless cousins, nephews and nieces.  It would be a disservice to not include April Maher, Shaylnn Waldrop, and Madelyn Brown, who were indispensable pieces of Tom's career and life.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the San Angelo Chapter of Texas Exes in Tom’s honor.

 “Having you as a friend has been one of the great blessings of my life.”

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at The Cactus Hotel at 5:00PM on Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Stacy Jo Barkis passed away on April 25^th in Wichita Falls Texas at the age of 43.

Stacy was born in San Angelo, Texas on February 26, 1979 to Kenny and Vicki (Ansley) Barkis.

She was a free spirit that lived life with a smile on her face (and of course, her pink lipstick).  Her laugh was contagious and made others smile.

She is survived by her mom and step dad, Vicki & Rodney Busby of Wichita Falls, TX, sisters Tina Nixon (Gary) of San Angelo, TX,

Tammy Christall (Craig) of Abilene, TX, Rodney Barkis of Big Spring, TX and Brad Barkis (Laura) of San Angelo, TX.  Nephews: Trey Thompson,

Jacob Thompson, Clayton Duncan, Casey Christall, Nathan Barkis and nieces: Lizzie Rose Barkis, Taylor Christall and Ashlynn Barkis. 

Stacy was preceeded in death by her father.

Stacy was loved by so many and she will be greatly missed.

The service will be held on Sunday May 1^st at 2PM at Harper Funeral Home

Robert Berl “Bob Porter, 87, of San Angelo passed away on April 24, 2022 in San Angelo, Texas. Bob was the first son born to Robert P
ercival Porter and Lillian Thames Porter in Malin, Oregon. Bob grew up in Big Spring, Texas graduating from Big Spring High School in 1952.

Bob was married to Mary Jo Cochron from 1953 to 1969. He joined the U.S. Navy on
October 13, 1953, as a communications Tech. He was discharged on August 14, 1957.

 After his discharge, he attended Wayland College, Odessa College, Arlington State College and graduated from North Texas State “University in 1965 with a BBA in
Production Management. After graduation he worked for Texas Instruments in Richardson, Texas from 1958 to 1975, when he took early retirement. He then made a complete career change when he worked for the Visiting Nurse Association in Dallas from 1975 to 1978, and then became social services director at North Texas Home Health Services in Garland from 1978 to 1983.

Bob met Patsy Sanders at a Second Baptist Church Singles Department Christmas party in December 1974, and they were married August 15, 1975, in Garland, Texas. Having six children between them, they became lovingly known as the Porter Bunch., After they married Bob became the Sunday School teacher for the singles class, where Patsy played the piano. Patsy grew up in San Angelo, and Bob had the love of West Texas in his heart, so they moved to San Angelo in August 1982. For six month she drove back and forth from Garland to San Angelo every weekend until he was hired as the Director of The West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind in San Angelo until his retirement in August 2008. He really loved the Lighthouse and said it was the best job he ever had.

Bob was active in First Baptist Church, San Angelo, He taught a couples’ Sunday school class for a few years, and then taught a mens’ class until he had to quit for health reasons. He was an usher for a number of years and an ordained deacon. He was also a member of the Downtown Lions Club where he was known as the great storyteller.

Bob is survived by his wife, Patsy, his children Bonnie Kirby and husband Adrian; son John Porter and wife Penny; and the three daughters he acquired when he married their mom: Pam Granger and husband Tom, of San Angelo; Leslie Bell, of San Angelo, Jill Jones and husband Kirt, of Hobbs, New Mexico; daughter in law Nancy Porter, of Garland, TX and Sister-in-law, Liz Porter, of Rockwall, TX; 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, a sister, Jeudi Lee of Arlington; a brother, Hugh (Andy) Porter of Grand Isle,  LA

Bob was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Jo, his sister Jackie, his brother Richard, his brother Gary and his oldest son, Robert L. Porter.

The family visitation will be held at Harper Funeral Home from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00AM April 28, at First Baptist Church, in San Angelo,  with burial to follow at Fairmount Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make your donation to the West Texas Lighthouse for the Blind or the charity of your choice. The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff at San Angelo Nursing and Rehab and HOSA for their excellent care and support.

Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.

God forever changed our lives on Friday evening, April 22, 2022, when He took the hand of Clayton Charles Weishuhn from the steering wheel of his brown pickup truck and walked with him into Heaven.   

    Born on October 7, 1959, in St. John’s Hospital in San Angelo, Texas, he was the third child of Olen and Merline (Michalewicz) Weishuhn.   He and his four siblings (Darryl, Lisa, Karl, and Doyle) were raised on a cotton and milo farm east of Wall, Texas.  While all of the family enjoyed living on the land, Clayton had a passion for the land.   He loved planting the seeds in the soil and watching the crops grow.

    When Clayton was a sophomore, he started dating his high school sweetheart, who would later become his best friend and forever wife and partner, Diane Mikulik.  She was his soul mate. They married on August 2, 1980, after dating four and a half years.  

    Clayton played football in high school and was called a blue-chip high school football prospect.  He had offers from Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Texas, Baylor, Southern Methodist University, and many other Division 1 schools.   He chose to stay at home and go to Angelo State University, so he could be close to his family, his sweetheart, Diane, and the farmland which he loved.  In 1978 ASU won the NAIA National Championship.  He was later inducted into the Lone Star Conference Hall of Fame.

    In 1982, Clayton was drafted by the New England Patriots, and he and Diane moved to Foxboro, Massachusetts.  Clayton played for six years – five years with New England and one year with the Green Bay Packers.  While at New England he was selected Rookie of the Year, and in his second year in the league he set the New England Patriots’ single-season record for tackles with 229, a record which still holds today.

    Although Clayton’s football records were exceptional and outstanding, his character as a man was stellar!  He never boasted about his playing ability and accomplishments but when he walked into a room, you felt his magnetism, care, love and friendship for you, and all others.   When he interacted with you, you knew he was WITH you.  He never met a stranger and if he did, he would soon be laughing and joking with them.   He had a brilliance in that way!     

    Clayton’s smile was warm, loving, and infectious with a hint of mischief in it.   His chuckle made his body shake, and he would hide his smile/laughter with his hand over his mouth, but his twinkling eyes gave him away.  In kindness, he was the master!  If you knew him, you couldn’t help but love him!

    During his years of playing football, he and wife, Diane, became the parents of three remarkable daughters: Brandi, Shannon, and Lauren.  Each has grown into full womanhood with families of their own.  His daughters believe that his greatest legacy was the love that he showed to all he knew, and his wife and daughters got the very best of that love.  He was an amazing “Papa” to 10 wonderful grandkids.  He loved snuggling with them.  They had deep pride in being his grandchild.  

    Clayton was preceded in death by his father, Olen Weishuhn; also, his brother-in-law,sister-in-law, and niece, Bryan, Debra, and Olivia Mikulik.   He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Diane, and three daughters and spouses, Brandi (Evan) Loomis, Shannon (Curtis) Eggemeyer, and Lauren (Lance) Tissue.  Grandchildren: Ward, Kathryn, Mack, and Charlotte Loomis; Ian, Adalynn, and Ava Eggemeyer, and Callon, Maxton, and Judson Tissue.  In addition, he is survived by his mother, Merline Weishuhn of Wall, Texas, siblings and spouses Darryl (Carolyn) Weishuhn of Wall, Texas, Lisa (David) Edwards of Del Rio, Karl (Charlotte) Weishuhn of Wall, Texas, and Doyle (Michele) Weishuhn of Andrews, Texas as well as a host of nieces and nephews of the Weishuhn families.  On his wife’s side of the family, he is survived by Harvey and Mary Jane Mikullik, his father and mother-in-law, brothers-in-law and spouses, Michael (Kim) Mikulik of Wall, Kevin (Cindy) Mikulik of Wall, David (Darla) Mikulik of Wall, Gayle (Layton) Fincher of Midland, Texas, as well as a host of nieces and nephews of the Mikulik families.

    Clayton, Daddy, Papa, we love you!  Thank you for being an incredible husband, father, Papa, son, brother, and friend to all of us.   Clayton, you planted more seeds of kindness in others’ lives than you ever planted in the ground!   

    Rosary will be held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Wall, TX Monday, April 25th at 6:00 pm.  Funeral services to follow at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 26th, at St. Ambrose.  Memorials can be given to the Wall Volunteer Fire Department or West Texas Rehab.