Michael "Mike" Lee Sanders, 71, passed away Sunday ,April 21, 2024, in San Angelo.

He was the son of Valeta Landrum Sanders and Harold Lee Sanders. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marilyn Sipes Sanders; his brother, Steve Sanders and wife Candy Sanders; as well as his son, Aaron Sanders and wife, Jackie Sanders; and their daughter, Rachael Lee Sanders, of San Diego California.

Mike grew up in Mt. Pleasant. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1970. A few years later, he joined the Navy and completed training as an Air Traffic Controller. His first duty station was Fallon, Nevada. The second assignment was Adak, Alaska where he met Marilyn, also a Navy Air Traffic Controller. It didn't take long for them to decide marriage was for them. In 1976, they flew back to San Angelo to tie the knot at the First Christian Church on Chadbourne St. Returning to Adak, they continued their jobs in the Navy until Marilyn was stationed in Beeville, and Mike became a civilian and attended college. Marilyn completed her Navy tour and they returned to Mt. Pleasant where their son Aaron was born.

Mike decided to rejoin the Navy and was given an assignment he had always dreamed of; Instructor at the Air Traffic Control School in Memphis Tennessee. When that teaching tour was complete, the USS Dwight D Eisenhower, an air craft carrier out of Norfolk, Virginia was his next duty station. Then after a short tour in Telford Pennsylvania, he went back to the USS Eisenhower. Naval Air Station, Kingsville was his next duty station and then back to the Eisenhower for his final tour of sea duty. NAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was his last duty station, from which he retired in 1997.

Mike started out in the Navy as an enlisted E-1 and rose through the ranks to retire as an officer with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was especially proud of the time served on the carrier, first as an enlisted petty officer, then as a Senior Chief and finally as a Division Officer. The numerous years (8) spent on the "Ike" gave him many stories to share about the places in the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic and even the Falklands that the Eisenhower was assigned to patrol.

While serving in the Navy, Mike continued to further his formal education by earning a Master of Science Degree from the University of Arkansas. He was a longtime and avid Arkansas Razorbacks fan. He loved to watch college baseball and football, especially his "HOGS". Since the 60's, the Dallas Cowboys have been a close second in his love for sports teams. Reading was another love of his life. In the last 6 years, he'd read 600+ books that were on his Kindle. He often wrote meaningful quotes from various authors in his collection of notebooks. Besides reading and sports, Mike was a great cook. He liked to bake; one of his specialties was his sourdough bread that everyone wanted!

Mike was a pocket knife collector. His favorite was the Bulldog Brand-Handmade knives manufactured in the USA during the 1950-90's. His collection of knives was labeled, cataloged, inventoried and displayed. Many happy hours were spent going over new additions, polishing, researching, and always looking for just one more.

In their younger years, Mike and Aaron loved the sport of baseball. Aaron loved playing baseball and Mike spent time helping Aaron hone those skills. Mike was proud of Aaron's sports achievements and loved watching him play.

Mike loved his granddaughter, Rachel. He was in awe of Rachel's singing talent. It always brought a smile to his face when he watched her U-Tube performances showcasing her beautiful voice.

Mike fought a short battle with cancer before it took him. He knew how devastating cancer could be and was a long time and generous contributor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal." Albert Pike

There are no services scheduled. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Carolyn Hunt Cornelius, 82, passed away on May 5, 2024, surrounded by the people that she loved the most. She was born December 27, 1941, to John and Willie Mae Hunt. She was a member of the first graduating class of Central High School in 1959. She spent most of her career working for GTE/Verizon. She married the love of her life, James Cornelius, on October 19, 1989. Carolyn had an infectious laugh, and if she got tickled, everyone around her did as well just listening to her laugh. She had us laughing right up until the very end. She was the best Mother and Mimi and loved her grandsons more than they will ever know. If you knew Carolyn, you knew all about Cole and Carter. Her favorite place to be was at the baseball field watching them play ball. She loved baseball and was a lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers fan.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, mother and father-in-law Bessie and Robert Cornelius, brother Joe Hunt, sister-in-law Joanne Wyatt, brother-in-law Bob Cornelius, sister in law Linda Hunt, sister in law Mary Reeter-Hunt, and a very special nephew Robert Hunt. She is survived by her husband James “Eddie”, daughter Kelly Nelson and husband Corey, grandsons Cole and Carter Nelson, brother Skipper Hunt, brother Jerry Hunt and wife Marsha, sister-in-law Sherry Hunt, sister-in-law Linda Hunt, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends.

At her request, there will be no service. Please just cherish the happy memories you have of her.

The family would like to thank Dr. Norma Cerna, Dr. Kenneth Perret, special nurses Diego, Kayla, and Hannah, and the staff at Shannon Medical Center for the exceptional care they provided.

Alvin Ray Jones, age 81, of Big Lake, Texas passed away on Friday, May 3, 2024. Services are pending with Johnson's Funeral Home.

Nicholas A. "Nick" Snyder, II, of San Angelo, passed away on Saturday, April 27th, 2024.

He was born on November 22, 1994 in San Angelo, Texas to Nicholas Anthony "Tony" Snyder and Sherrie Scott.

Nick attended Central High School and graduated in the class of 2013. While attending high school, he was a proud member of the Key Club, Band, Choir, and Central Staff. He later went on to obtain his MBA from Angelo State University. Nick then began his career working for the ASU Sports Events Office.

He had a passion for Pokemon, yo-yoing, bowling, fishing, camping, kayaking, trips to the beach and will always be remembered for his love of travel. Nick was a decent sous chef and quite the food critic, some of his favorites being chocolate and cheesecake.

He is preceded in death by his great grandparents; Cecil "Sheriff" Turner and Winnie Turner, Skipper and Rose Turner, Grandparents; Madelene Turner and Harold D "Blue" Turner, Nick Snyder, Marlene Sylliaasen, Jesse "Stickhorse" Carr, Linda and George Ramage, Uncles; John C.H. Martin, III and Alec Michael Martin.

Nick is survived by his mother; Sherrie Scott (Kevin Scott), father; Nicholas Anthony "Tony" Snyder, Life Partner; Darijan Allen, brothers; Matt (Paige) Scott, Jacob Scott, Brandon Lopez and Christopher Estrada, nieces; Robin and Ginny, aunt; Dorothy Atchison, aunt and uncle; Carl and Christy Ramage, cousins; Yazmine, Tyrah, Amanda, and Troy.

A visitation for Nicholas will be held Friday, May 3, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Johnson's Funeral Home, 435 West Beauregard Avenue, San Angelo, Texas, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.

The family would like to thank you to Dr. Darham Koshak at University Hospital San Antonio, Dr. Goswamy at MD Anderson in Houston, Hospice of San Angelo, and Dr. Cheruku, Dr. Wurster and Dr. Jastrow of San Angelo.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to local animal shelters; Cassie's Place, Critter Shack, and Concho Valley Paws.

Billy Jack Wimberley, 87, of San Angelo passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

Graveside services will be at 1:00 PM Monday, May 6, 2024 in McKenzieville Cemetery under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Mr. Wimberley was born on September 21, 1936 in San Angelo to Jack and Flora Wimberley. After Schooling he was a home builder and owned and operated BJ Wimberley Realty.

Billy Jack is survived by his three sons, Bill Wimberley, John Wimberley, and James Wimberley and wife Marla all of San Angelo; two grandsons, Ryan Wimberley and Tyler Wimberley both of Austin; and two great-grandsons, Jaxson Wimberley and Jordan Wimberley both of San Angelo.

The first and last paragraph of Edgar Albert Guests poem “Equipment” reads as follows:

Figure it out for yourself, my lad,

You've all that the greatest of men have had,

Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes.

And a brain to use if you would be wise.

With this equipment they all began,

So start for the top and say "I can."

 

Courage must come from the soul within,

The man must furnish the will to win,

So figure it out for yourself, my lad,

You were born with all that the great have had,

With your equipment they all began.

Get hold of yourself, and say: "I can."

 

Dr. Carl Stephen Menzies passed away Thursday evening May 2nd while resting peacefully and is now in a better place. He was 92 years old at the time of his passing. Born in Menard, Texas on March 6, 1932, he was the son of Alexander Littleton Menzies and Margarite Watson Menzies. Carl had two brothers, the older being A.L. ‘Sonny’ Jr. and the younger being Jim who both preceded him in death.

Carl grew up in Menard and attended school with his future wife Shirley White Menzies beginning in the 1st grade. Carl lived on the family ranch doing chores, hunting, and playing football and other sports through high school while Shirley was a twirler in the band. They were selected high school football King & Queen their senior year. They were married on September 2, 1952, and celebrated 63 years of marriage. Shirley passed away in 2014.

Carl graduated from Menard High School in 1950 and attended Texas Tech University earning a B.S. degree in Animal Science in 1954. After graduation he worked in Brownwood Tx, for a short time as assistant county extension agent, before moving the family to Manhattan, Kansas where he received an M.S. in Animal Science from Kansas State University while overseeing the sheep research barn and teaching undergraduate students. He finished his education in Lexington, Ky earning a PhD in Animal Nutrition from the University of Kentucky and returned to Kansas to continue his work as a college professor.

In the winter of 1969, he moved the family to frigid Brookings, S.D (-20° on moving day) and served as the department head of the Animal Science dept. at South Dakota State University for 3 years. In 1972 the family moved back ‘Home’ to Texas where he served 25 years as director of the Texas A & M AgriLife Research & Extension Center in San Angelo leading research projects in range management, brush control, sheep nutrition, breeding, and wool production. Making life better for Texas ranchers & livestock. He authored and co-authored over 36 scientific research papers in his area of expertise.

Carl was internationally known for his efforts in Animal Science interacting with scientist from Australia, New Zealand, and Russia as well as others.

He retired in 1996 and maintained homes in San Angelo and Menard where he enjoyed golf, including one hole-in-one, his Cheers Sunday School Class, and ranching on the C&S Menzies Ranch where he raised cattle, sheep, goats and grandkids. Other interests included friends & neighbors, Mac the dog, Billy the goat and rain.

Carl achieved many things during his career and earned many accolades from various organizations. As a senior in high school, he was on the Texas state championship livestock judging team and earned a trip to Chicago to compete in the national show. That was just the beginning of his participation in judging events. At Texas Tech in 1953 he was on the National Championship Livestock judging team and while at KSU he coached several national championship wool judging teams.

Carl was a judge at may livestock shows judging lambs, pigs, cattle and once even judged rabbits when the rabbit judge didn’t show up. He judged at many shows including San Angelo, Houston, Fort Worth, Denver, Colorado State, Aksarben in Nebraska and many other county shows and fairs.

Some of his awards & recognitions include:

1973 - Menard High School Hall of Fame

1988 - American Sheep Producer Council Silver Ram Award

1993 – Distinguished Alumni – Texas Tech University

1993 – Honorary Fellow Award from Society of Animal Science

1996 – Fred T. Earwood Award from Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association (TS&GRA)

1998-1999 – President of TS&GRA

2018 – Wool Excellence award from the American Sheep Industry

Survivors include his son Dr. Steve Menzies and wife Kay; his daughter Linda Crocker and husband Dr. Scott Crocker; his granddaughter Lauren Napier Harris and husband Madison; his grandson Harris Napier III and wife Shannon; granddaughter Bryce Menzies Sirmons and husband Jeremy; granddaughter Cara Crocker and fiancé’ Shaun McCleese; granddaughter Dr. Megan Crocker Esch and husband Matt. Also surviving are seven great grandchildren and one pending. Also, Pat Revell, Carl’s special friend.

At the beginning was Carl’s favorite poem that he liked to give his students as instructions before each test. Words of wisdom…You’ve got everything you need to succeed.

The family asks that in place of flowers please make donations to the charity of your choice.

A celebration of Carl’s life will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at First United Methodist Church, 37 E. Beauregard, San Angelo, Texas. 76903, with the Rev. Cyndi Young officiating.

 

Dora Nell Burney Watkins, went to be with our Lord and Savior on May 1, 2024.

Nell was born during the Great Depression, so she knew what hard work was like. She enjoyed the old way of life, surrounded by her loved ones sitting around drinking coffee, talking about old times, or sitting on a riverbank with a cane pole. Good ole slow days, loving on her dogs and spending time with them.

She also had a little wild side, she liked to kick up her heels with a little two-steppin’ to some old country music.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Colvin and Beulah Burney; five siblings Calvin, Alvin, John Burney, Myrtle McClelland, and Martha Burney McGary. She is survived by two siblings, Jackie and Jerry Burney.

She married Nobel Nowlain and they had six children, one son Richard Nowlain preceded her in death. She is survived by son Earl Nowlain, and deceased wife Betty Nowlain, and two children Kenneth and Michael, son Little Nobel and deceased wife Debra Nowlain, three children Michelle, Little Earl, and deceased Nobel John, daughter May and husband Johny Lee Smith, three children, Floyd, Corrie May, and deceased Crystal Dawn, Daughter Sherry and husband Bob Hampton one child Robert Hampton and his daughter Maddie. Daughter Nola Lee Preece and her two children, Little Floyd Preece and Brittney Alejandro.

She then married Horace Ray Watkins. They had one son, Bandy Ray Watkins wife Gina and four children Desiray Buchanan, Magan Chandler, Bryce and Budah. She also had numerous great grandchildren. She loved her family, each and every one of them.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Harper Funeral Home.

 

Johnny was born July 26, 1950. Date of Death was recorded as April 29, 2024. 

He was raised and went to school in Jal, New Mexico. Johnny was in the Navy from 1969 until 1985. During that time he studied nuclear physics and was able to teach it in the last part of his service time to fellow Navy members. After leaving the Navy due to his disability, he worked for Florida Power & Light. Johnny had always dreamed of cowboying as our father had done. After leaving Florida he made the move to Fort Davis to work on a ranch. That became non profitable and was very disabling. He then worked in Fort Davis at a hardware store, before moving to San Angelo where he worked at an Assisted Living facility. 

 Upon retirement he decided to go RV’ing until he settled In San Angelo where he lived until his untimely death.

 Johnny is survived by a son, John S. Brooks, granddaughter, Julia Reese Brooks, 2 sisters, Annette Rankin, Jeanette Sorrel and brother-In-law Mickey Sorrel, several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gaines and Lillian Brooks, two brothers, Jim Brooks and Harvey Brooks. Johnny left behind many schoolmates whom he loved dearly and treasured the times spent with each of them during school years and reunions. Johnny also had many friends from the Navy and also from life itself. 

 He will be waiting in heaven for all of us with that special smile of his.

David Mark Nunemaker, age 66, of San Angelo, Texas passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Bobbie J. McAlister departed this world to go meet with her Lord & savior Sunday April 28,

2024. She was greeted by her loving husband, mother & father along with the rest of the Angels.

She entered this world on May 18, 1936, in Texon, Texas.

She was raised in & went to school in Texon. She graduated from Reagan County High School in Big Lake.

She lived in Rankin & Big Lake. She worked for Johnson's dept. store as a clerk. She worked as a bookkeeper, clerk & later store manager for Perry Bros. in Rankin then Big Lake. She served as Asst. Brownie Leader 1 yr. Cub Scout Den Leader 3 years. She was a member of the Rebecca Lodge, she was a member of the Eastern Star in Big Lake, Rankin, Ozona & San Angelo #0010. After retirement she & her loving husband moved to Rio Concho Manor in San Angelo until late 2021 when she moved to Monahans, Texas. In her younger years she would write poetry and she even wrote a song and tried to have it published.

She was preceded in this life by her dad, Robert Mitchell Malone, mother Ned Blanch Malone and husband Lloyd Lee McAlister.

She is survived by her two sons Ricki Lee McAlister and wife Terry of Longview, Texas; and Randy Mitchell McAlister and wife Darla of Grandfalls, Texas; daughter Sharon Lynn Zamora and husband Jesse of Midland, Texas; three grandchildren, JoAnn Bone and husband Justin, Michael Pool and wife Alexis, and Eric Zamora, all of Midland, Texas; 8 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, several step-grandchildren; several step-great grandchildren and one step- great-great grandchild.

She made her children mind as they grew up. As her kids were growing up she would hide her romance paperback books from her husband around the house. She was sharp as a tack so it took some doing to pull pranks on her but when we did she enjoyed it. She and her husband worked hard to provide for their family. They tried their best to give them things that they needed but most importantly they gave them Love. She loved to read and play cards in her retirement at the Concho Manor.

Funeral services will be at 2 pm Friday, May 3, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Big Lake. Burial will follow in Glen Rest Cemetery in Big Lake. Viewing will be Thursday May 2, 2024 at Johnson's Funeral Home in San Angelo from 8 am - 8 pm. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a favorite charity or church of your choice.