RIP-William “Bill” Joseph Connery
William “Bill” Joseph Connery, aged 78, peacefully passed away following a prolonged illness. He was born in Philadelphia, PA, but later his family relocated to Texas. In 1963, he proudly graduated from Midland High School. Bill’s sense of duty led him to join the army, where he was selected for officer candidate school. After an…
Richard D. “Dick” Mogle (RIP)
Richard D. “Dick” Mogle, 79, died Saturday, February 4th at his College Station home surrounded by family. Dick was born September 19th, 1943 in Winfield, Kansas to Jack and Dixie Mogle. He and his sister Donna grew up in Midland, Texas. Dick graduated from the University of Texas Dental School in 1969. After graduation, Dr.…
Jerry Reese (RIP)
Written by Jerry Reese (Jerry passed away April 4, 2020. Rest In Peace.) I was born in Wink, Texas the sixth child of Alice and A. C. Reese. I can neither confirm nor deny, but my recollection, based on relatives’ stories, is that my Mother and Dad both quit school when they were very young.…
Smile Because they Lived and Drank the Water in Midland
Click below to listen to “Let It Be” by The Beatles Be glad you can remember these Midland friends and shed a tear knowing they are gone. Or be like some of us and smile because of the memory of their life. Memories come to some of us by closing our eyes and to some…
Bill Bearden (RIP) and Tinkerbelle
Click below and listen to “Paradise by The Dashboard Light” by Meatloaf Tinkerbelle?…. first thought, “the Peter Pan fairy”. But not in Midland, Texas. In Midland Tinkerbelle is the beloved puke-green Ford Falcon piloted by Bill Bearden. There is no telling how many things happened between the doors of that well-exercised car, but I know…
Tribute to Andrea Dewey (RIP)
Tribute to Andrea Dewey written by Nugent Brasher posted by Bob Ittner On Sunday morning in the market mercería, I bought a long, slender,yellow ribbon. Knowing that Representative A. Dewey traveled in a ’57Chevy coupe, I asked the Señora to mark in hopeful green ink the portentAD57 on the ribbon. Several blocks away in the bird market I…
RIP-Remembering Andrea Dewey (Class of ‘62)
By Robert (Bob) Ittner Andrea was voted the Friendliest at MHS in 1962. Her home was located on Golf Course Rd. and was so conveniently located and so welcoming for people dropping in it was known as the Dewey Youth Center. Andrea was a UT graduate and somewhere along the line owned and operated a…
RIP- Bobby Garst
Click “Happy Days Theme Song” while reading. by Linda Mills Wofford Bobby Garst sent this to me several years before he passed away. Billy Wayne, Bill Wood, Betty Clarkson Conkling and I sat together at Bobby’s memorial service. I asked Billy Wayne to get up and read this at Bobby’s service. He did a fantastic…
Memories of Doc
By: Glenn Whittington ‘ 61 My first memories of Doc were in 1959, my Sophomore year at MHS. He had taken the job as the head athletic trainer at MHS. He also taught Social Studies, more on that later. After football season ended he became the trainer for Coach Bob Todd for the basketball program. …
RIP- Doc Dodson (1936-2018)
Doc was born in Ft. Worth, TX in 1936. He was known as Jimmy to friends and family there, Hambone by his TCU family, and “Doc” by his Midland family. He attended Poly High School in Ft.Worth, graduated and became a student trainer at TCU. During those years he took care of some of the…
RIP- Lance Lee McIntyre
Lance Lee McIntyre died in Cañon City, Colorado on January 30, 2020. He was born December 20, 1944, to Ernest Lee and Louise (Stilwell) McIntyre and grew up in central Texas. Lance attended the University of Texas, where he met his wife, Rosemary. They were married on September 14, 1968. Lance later earned a Master’s Degree…
RIP- Russell “Rusty” Jones
Russell “Rusty” Jones Russell “Rusty” Jones, 65, of Midland, passed away Friday, October 8, 2010, at his residence. Memorial services will be held at 2:00pm, Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Frazier, officiating. Rusty was born July 6, 1945 in Midland to Doris Merritt Jones and E.F. Jones. He was…
RIP: Sally (Lindsey) Melzer
By Dennis “Wemus” GrubbDallas, Texas: TO ALL:Sweet Sally (Lindsey) Melzer passed away today, due to a sudden heart attack. She was a 1965 graduate of Midland High School and was married to Steve Melzer, a 1964 graduate of Midland High School as well. Please keep Steve and their two boys and families in your thoughts and prayers.May you…
Richard William “Bill” Wood (RIP)
Richard William Wood, “Bill” or “Coach,” age seventy-four, of Argyle, Texas passed away May 13, 2021 . The son of a petroleum engineer and a schoolteacher, Bill was born in Smackover, Arkansas and raised in Midland, Texas. Bill was proud to be a Midland High Bulldog, where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track each year…
Billy Wayne Godwin (RIP)
By John McElligott It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of Bill Godwin (AKA Billy Wayne Godwin or W.G.). Billy Wayne passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, January 11, 2023 after a brief illness. Billy Wayne was one of my best friends and we shared many adventures throughout the years.…
Bill Wood (RIP) MHS 1964
Written by John McElligott (MHS 1963) Sadly, Bill Wood passed away Thursday, May 13, 20121. May he rest in peace. Never have I been so attached to someone whom I grew up with, but had not seen since 1976 in Colorado City Texas. Bill was by then, living in Denton, Texas and we have not…
William “Billy Wayne” Godwin (RIP)-Obituary
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 for William Wayne Godwin who passed away Jan. 11, 2023 after a major stroke followed by a short illness. He was hospitalized for two weeks before returning home with the help of Hospice. His struggle ended early the next day. He was known affectionately as…
Drew Steele Parham (RIP) MHS 1963
It is with heavy heart that we report the loss of one of our beloved “water drinkers.” June 29, 1945- July 10,2022 Drew Hutchinson Steele Parham was one of the original contributors to the “What’s in the Water in Midland, Texas” Blog. She was a dear friend and supporter and will be greatly missed. We…
Bruce McElligott (RIP) MHS 1963
Written by John and Tom McElligott James Bruce McElligott (MHS 1963) passed away in El Paso, Texas early this week (08/25/2021). Bruce is the son of Thomas E. McElligott and Vivian L McElligott and was born in El Paso,Texas. Bruce requested no services be done on his behalf. However, soon a Mass will be dedicated…
RIP- Charles Davis Ray
FEBRUARY 8, 1943 – JANUARY 3, 2021 Charles Davis Ray (“Charlie”) passed away peacefully at home on January 3, 2021, after a battle with cancer. Charlie was born in Corsicana, Texas on February 8, 1943, to Marguerite Maggard and Charles Garvis Ray. Charlie attended high school in both Hobbs and Artesia, New Mexico, graduating from Artesia High…
John L. Barker (RIP)
Written by Rebecca (Becky) Barker Click arrow below to listen to “Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” By Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson John was born on November 30, 1945 in Beaumont Texas to Elbert Wesley Barker and Lona Belle Barker. He had three older siblings, Janice Sue (1/2 sister), Tracy,…
RIP John Payne (MHS 1963)
By Dennis “Wemus” Grubb This is one of the hardest posts I have ever had to make. My long time friend, and former band mate with The Sensations (far right in photo), JOHN PAYNE, died last night, Monday March 29, 2021. I am heartbroken and saddened to no end. We began our musical journey together…
Eddie Wayne Klatt (RIP)
As told by Loving Wife, Cindy Klatt I came from two wonderful families, poor but hard working. My Grandpa and Grandma Klatt brought my Dad and his two brothers and one sister from Germany to America before World War I. Another boy was born into the family in America. Dad had wanderlust and moved from…
William “Shack” Reeder (RIP)
William Shackelford “Shack” Reeder passed away peacefully March 2 surrounded by his family and close friends from complications from pneumonia. He was born (along with his twin brother) on September 10, 1944 in Kansas City, Mo. to Shackelford Reeder and Sally Erwin Reeder. He spent his formative years in Midland after moving with his family…
RIP- Jeffrey “Jeff” Edwards
Jeffrey William Edwards, age 76, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. He was born January 6, 1944 in Kansas City, Kansas to Mildred Roberts and Hugh Carl Edwards. After he was born his family moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma but he spent most of his childhood in Midland, Texas. He played…
RIP- Cathie Blackaller
Click below to listen to My Girl Cadillac by Dennis Grubb Written by Dennis Grubb The song is entitled “My Girl Cadillac” that I wrote for her, and in her honor! It was not too long thereafter that she got cancer and became sick, so I am forever thankful that she at least got to hear the…
RIP- Donald Joe Cauthen
Donald Joe Cauthen, 75, passed away peacefully on Wednesday December 30, 2020 at Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, TX. Don was born June 29, 1945 to W. L. and Betty Cauthen in Abilene, TX. Don attended Lee High School in Midland, TX. Following high school, he attended West Texas State in Canyon, TX. After attending…
RIP-James F. “Jim” Epley (1945 – 2019)
James F. “Jim” Epley, Jr., 74, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2019, in San Angelo where he has lived since 2010.Public viewing will be from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday, October 11, 2019, at Robert Massie Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 12, 2019, at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel.…
Memories of John Moore (RIP)
Written by Prissy Pense Moore John often talked about running the concession stand out at the baseball fields. Charles and Dr. John, if you can recall some of the stories about that time, maybe it will help me recall John’s stories and I can fill in with some of his memories. Although I didn’t know…
RIP- Bruce Turner
Submitted by Dennis “Wemus” Grubb TO ALL…..,I was contacted by his youngest son Grady, and saddened to learn that our old classmate from Lee High School, Texas Tech, and dear friend, Bruce Turner, died on September 11th from a heart attack. He had endured a couple of strokes recently and finally succumbed. I do not…
RIP- Sally (Lindsey) Melzer
TO ALL:Sweet Sally (Lindsey) Melzer passed away today, due to a sudden heart attack. She was a 1965 graduate of Midland High School and was married to Steve Melzer, a 1964 graduate of Midland High School as well. Please keep Steve and their two boys and families in your thoughts and prayers.May you all continue to have good…
Susie Marinis Evans (RIP) October 22, 1946 – April 19, 2021
Submitted by Pete Creasey Susan Marinis Evans passed away peacefully on April 19, 2021 in Midland, Texas surrounded by loving family. She was born October 22, 1946 in Dallas, Texas to her parents, Dr. Thomas and Betty Sue Marinis. The Marinis family moved to Midland, Texas in 1950 where Susie attended Sam Houston Elementary, San…
A Tribute to John L Barker (MHS 1964)
June 10, 2022 a special tribute to Cpt John L Barker took place at the American Legion in Midland, Texas. Friends and Family of the late John Barker gathered to celebrate his military career. Lunch was catered by Michael’s Charcoal Grill. Dr. John McElligott, founder of the “What’s in the Water in Midland, Texas” blog…
RIP-Knox Dillon Nunnally
Knox Dillon Nunnally, “Ocho-Ocho”, left us at ten o’clock in the evening on Monday, the 16th of July 2012. He has taken his last stiff drink of yesterday’s wine and danced his last dance. The mariachis are still playing and his beloved bird boys are crying in the rain. Ocho-Ocho came by his nickname from…
Memorial Mass for Bruce McElligott
Friends: Mass for Bruce McElligott will be held Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 9:00AM EST. The mass will be held at All Saints Catholic Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. No flowers needed. Lisa and John McElligott will be there.
Remembering John Payne (RIP)
John Lynn Payne, of North Richland Hills, TX, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, March 29. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, granddad, son, brother, friend, and bandmate to all who knew and loved him. He was born on July 3, 1945, in Altus, Oklahoma, to Clyde and…
RIP- Peter Lekisch (MHS Class of 1959)
Long-time Alaskan Peter Allen Lekisch died on December 27, 2013, due to complications from surgery to correct atrial fibrillation. Peter was born in Midland, Texas on January 7, 1941, to Dorle and Kurt Lekisch, M.D., F.A.C.P. He grew up participating in all school sports, especially enjoying football. During the summer of 1959, Peter traveled to…
RIP- Conrad (Cornbread) Dorsey LHS
By John Mcelligott Conrad and I met at Alamo in the 8th grade. Conrad later became “Cornbread” to everyone. I remember he was a good athlete, and very out going. In the 10th grade we skipped school at MHS together along with WG and Gene Clark. Everyone started smoking that year except me and a…
Robert Meadows (RIP)-The Last Hunting Trip
As told by Harry Miller: The Last Hunting Trip with Robert Meadows (RIP), OB Jackson, Andrew Jackson, Richard Wood, Harry Miller and John Meadows John Meadows had an annual camping event on the Baker’s River in Pandale, Texas. The event included a dove hunt. This particular year, Harry called OB Jackson and asked if the…
My Happiest Summer
Written by John McElligott I met Melinda at the A&W Root Beer out by the Fiesta Drive Inn Theater in the Summer of 1961. I was 15 years old and Melinda was 3yrs older than me. Melinda had just finished her freshman year at Texas Tech, and I was working as a life guard &…
Melinda Mayhew Martin (RIP)
Melinda Mayhew Martin, age 78 passed away peacefully on November, 30th 2020 in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was Born in San Angelo, Texas and grew up in Midland, Texas. Melinda was a long-time resident of Shreveport and retired as an employee of the City. She loved spending time at home doing things around the house especially…
(RIP) Terry Diveley, Lee HS 1963
By Gere Gaige How he changed my life…. Terry was a cross country runner at LHS, while I was a swimmer at MHS. We did not know each other… that is, we knew “of” each other because we were athletes at competing high schools, but we did not know each other. We both went to…
RIP- J. Jeffrey Heinrich
Submitted by John McElligott Jeff Heinrich was a Navy Corpsman with the 1st Marine Division and was wounded in a battle near the DMZ and Medivaced back to the US due to severe head wounds. I just missed him by a few months but we became fellow Duke University Medical PA program classmates. He was…
Memory of Jimmy McClendon
by Don Patteson I first met Jimmy “Mac” McClendon in 1960, our sophomore year at MHS. We played together on the Bulldog basketball “B” team that year. It was immediately obvious that Jimmy was a gifted athlete. We learned a lot under Coaches Todd and Spears and had a lot of fun that year. Lee…
Jimmy Mac and the Water Boys from Midland Texas. By John McElligott (AKA Star Man) and Gere Gaige (AKA Rocket Man).
Click the arrow below to listen to “Rocket Man” by Elton John while you are reading. By John McElligott (AKA Star Man) and Gere Gaige (AKA Rocket Man). I first met Jimmy McClendon in the 7th grade at Austin Junior High at football practice. Other members were Eddie Shirley, Bill Cumbie, Robert Samford, Billops (lived…
Corky Dyer (RIP)
Written by: Tony Dorff Because it’s the Veteran’s day weekend and I’ve seen the message regarding Corky Dyer’s death, I thought that I might fill you in on how that happened. Corky and I were not buddies in high school and I next saw him in 1965 when we were both in the same class…
RIP- Paula Ann Clarkson (MHS 1963)
Paula Ann Clarkson, 77 of Northside, Texas died on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, in Wichita Falls, Texas. Graveside services will be Friday, September 2, 2022 at 10:00 am at Bell Cemetery under the direction of Sullivan Funeral Home. Officiating will be Rev. Irl Holt Paula was born Friday, January 5, 1945 in Vernon, Texas, she…
Memories of MotoBill
Written by John McElligott Bill was a Water Drinker, and a Sky Pilot on Wheels. My reconnection with Bill started at his motorcycle shop in Austin, and once again when he brought his Racing Team to the Candelaria Ranch. He was a daredevil deluxe and jumped over my 4 wheeler by 75 feet (down a…
RIP- Charles “Buddy” Kniffen
The family has requested that if you would like to send a message or story of Buddy to the family, please feel free to email them by clicking the link at cbkniffen14@gmail.com. CHARLES BUDDY KNIFFEN was reunited with his beloved parents, Jackie (Rutherford) and C B Kniffen, in Heaven on Nov. 7, 2020. Buddy was…
Richard Ashcraft (RIP)
Written by Dennis Grubb I knew Richard extremely well, as his big brother, Robert Ashcraft (MHS 1958) was the Bass Player in our band, THE MYSTICS. Their father Bill worked out at Terminal for the U.S. Weather Bureau and their mother, June, worked in the administrative offices at Cowden Jr. High. She was a very…
Robert Bruce Herring (RIP)
Robert Bruce HerringOct. 22, 1940-Dec. 12, 2012Resident of San JoseBob died of complications from esophageal cancer. He was born to the late George and Ruby Faye Herring, October 22, 1940 in Midland, Texas. Bob was Valedictorian of Midland High School, class of 1959. He went to Rice University for his BA and Masters degrees, then…