Mark Pollock

By JOHN PAUL SCHWARTZ

November 13 claimed its second famous musician in the Trans Pecos. In 2011, it was the beloved musician Doyle Bramhall, a childhood musician friend of Mark Pollock. Little did any of us suspect four years later, Mark Pollock’s name would be written in an obituary. Mark had a carefree warm attitude toward everyone he met. His shop, Transpecos Guitars, was legendary to both locals and famous travelers to this area.

This legendary status was not new to Mark. As a boy growing up in Irving, Texas, he displayed exceptional prowess early on as a guitar player. He played his “border special,” an $8 guitar from Matamoros for parties and snow cone stands. His peers included Doyle Bramhall, Jimmy Vaughan, brother Stevie Ray Vaughan, and so many others. They all lived near each other and would comb the discount stores buying the “cut out” blues records no one wanted. They would take them home and spend hours learning each one by heart.

When old enough to drive, they would show up hours early at various Dallas blues clubs to meet and hear the stars of those records. The boys formed various garage bands together, and some of the most influential sounds in Texas music history were born through these efforts. Mark played both lead guitar and rhythm. He was always honest, prompt, and a stickler for musicianship. He earned the moniker “Mr. Mean, ”always running a “tight ship” and telling the truth to his musicians even though feelings sometimes were hurt. He never flinched. Soon, he was making a living playing and moved to Austin to play with his friends Stevie Ray Vaughn, Doyle Bramhall in the Nightcrawlers.

Soon after that, Mark was found to have testicular cancer. He was fortunate to be treated by a world-renowned cancer surgeon in Dallas. He then had chemotherapy. He appeared to be cured, but his doctor insisted he have another round of chemo.

Mark suddenly got the offer of a lifetime. He was offered a spot in Lowell Fulson’s famous blues band on the West Coast. Lowell wrote the song “Tramp” which was later made famous by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas as a soul music hit in the 1960s. Mark skipped his last round of chemo, ran off and joined them.

Soon he was bandleader, playing up and down the West Coast. As time went on, he came back to Texas and played with the legendary bluesman Freddy King. They went on a tour through the South, as the opening act for the great Eric Clapton, top guitarist from the “British Invasion.” Freddy King, with Mark on second lead and rhythm guitar, played the great Texas International Pop festival near Dallas, just two weeks after Woodstock. After that tour was over, he returned to Dallas and formed the band Kingsnake. It eventually became Anson Funderburk and the Rockets, who are still recording today. But Mark had bigger shoes to fill. The renowned guitarist Matt Guitar Murphy, star of the Blues Brother’s movie, left his place in the James Cotton band of Chicago. They called Mark and offered him Matt’s spot as lead guitarist.

Soon Mark was rubbing elbows with his greatest music heroes: Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and so many more. He even got a rave reviews from critics at the New York Times. They admitted he filled Matt’s shoes well as a replacement guitarist.

Eventually he returned to Dallas and formed the band, Mark Pollock and the Midnighters. They were a staple at the Greenville Ave Bar and Grill, one of the top clubs in the emerging upscale Dallas nightlife scene. The band broke up and Mark formed Teddy and the Tall Tops with Ted Roddy. Later he joined a long time friend Tony Dukes to form another band, Cold Blue Steel. They definitely were a fixture back at The Greenville Avenue Bar and Grill for many years. Even today many videos can be found on You Tube of Mark playing in all these bands, and others of him on stage with many of the greatest names in blues music.

When not playing music, Mark worked at Charley Wirz’ shop in Dallas, rebuilding, repairing and selling guitars starting in 1984. He left Cold Blue Steel before he met his future wife Mary. They became soul mates and were married in 1999.

Life had suddenly changed when Charley Wirz died unexpectedly from a heart attack in California at a trade show. Mark arranged to buy the shop from Charley’s widow and soon took over Charley’s other project, “The Vintage Guitar Show,” held every year at a local hotel. Mark turned it into the famed Dallas International Guitar Show. He moved it from the smaller hotel to the giant Dallas Market Hall. Soon it attracted a worldwide audience. Idols of the guitar world, including Eric Clapton, soon played there. Mark staged the Crossroads Guitar festival in 2004 at Fair Park at Eric Clapton’s request, and afterward an unforgettable concert in the Cotton Bowl featuring Clapton.

In the early 2000s, Mark grew tired of life in the spotlight and moved with his beloved wife Mary to Alpine after becoming enamored with the area after visiting guitar builder Michael Stevens and his wife Alice. He opened Transpecos Guitars, sold Charley’s guitars but kept his interests in the Guitar show. Almost immediately he bumped into his old friend Doyle Bramhall. Unbeknownst to each other, they had moved to Alpine simultaneously.

Soon they were again playing together, this time raising money for many local charities including Marfa Public Radio, KRTS. Mark, Doyle, and Van Wilks played at the first opening party for the station. When the radio station actually turned on its transmitter in 2006, Mark helped to stage their first big fundraising concert, which featured Willie Nelson.

Mark then volunteered in 2008 to start one of the first regular programs on that station, the Blues Monday show. He played many of the now-rare vinyl records he bought as a teenager on the air, telling radio listeners of his own personal stories of each artist and his experiences with them. The show has aired every Monday since, featuring the blues music he knew and loved so well. He stayed involved playing music with a group of Dallas attorneys in a band called Blue Collar Crime, “four lawyers in need of a guitar player who desperately needed four lawyers.” He also played stand up “dog house” bass with Jimmy Ray Harrell as the Border Blues Band for many years.

Mark extended a personal warmth to everyone he encountered. A myriad of people from around the world have special stories of meeting their friend Mark Pollock. All speak of genuine warmth and fairness, a commodity so rare in the music business. His shop was a must see destination for travelers and musicians visiting the area with a huge collection of music memorabilia.

He is fondly remembered for the many “emergency pit stops,” repairing damaged instruments of musicians sometimes only minutes before scheduled local gigs. To visitors in his shop, he was always quick to tell personal stories of the legendary musicians he called friends. It made everyone feel they had their own personal connection with the stars of the music world, even if only from talking to Mark for a few moments. Never a braggart, his gentle spirit made friends with everyone. The stars shine a little less bright tonight. Even the Marfa lights shine blue tonight. A great one has gone, but his spirit lives on.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Mark Thomas Pollock at 3pm Sunday, November 29 the Granada Theatre in Alpine.

Memorial contributions may be made to: HAAM, PO Box 301495, Austin, TX 78703, or at http://www.myhaam.org/.

Maria Prieto

Maria Baeza Prieto, 101, of Marfa passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2015 in Clint, Texas where she had been living with her granddaughter Cecy Rodriguez and husband Rene.

Rosary will be recited at 10am Saturday, November 14 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marfa with the funeral Mass at 11am, with Father Esteban Sescon officiating.  Holy burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery.

Maria was born May 29, 1914 at the Haciendita Ranch near Presidio to Gregoria Soza  and Jose Baeza. She married Catarino Prieto at Hacienda Ranch in Presidio County on January 23, 1932.

Maria was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who will be greatly missed but will remain forever in our hearts.

She is survived by her three daughters, Olga P. Church, Yolanda Prieto and Frances Jimenez, all of Marfa; her sister, Maria De La Luz Baeza of Marfa; her brother, Daniel Baeza of Presidio; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband, Catarino Prieto; and her parents, Jose and Gregoria Baeza.

Funeral services entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home of Fort Stockton.

Elvira Peña

Elvira Grado Peña, 93, of Redford passed away Friday, November 13, 2015 at Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine.

She was born in Redford on March 25, 1922 to the late Fransisco and Santos (Valenzuela) Grado.  She was a homemaker and a loving mother to nine children. 

Elvira was a devoted Catholic, a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, who loved to sing and pray. She fought for her life and was a strong woman. Elvira cherished being a mother and grandmother. She enjoyed flowers and gardening was a hobby.

Those left to cherish her love and memory are her children, Federico G. “Fred” Peña and wife Elsa of Odessa, Ezequiel G. Peña and wife Pilar of Monahans, Dora P. Marquez of Redford, Merced P. Florez and husband Ezequiel of Granbury, Ema Elia P. Ramirez and husband Martin of Midland, Delfa P. Ornelas of Odessa, Guadalupe “Lupe” P. Marquez and husband Salvador of Barstow; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fransisco and Santos Grado; husband, Antonio Peña; son, Alvaro Peña; daughter, Fe Peña Seeton; and all of her siblings, Jose, Trinidad, Jesus, Benjamin, Reyes, Jesusita, Juana, Flora, Maria and Luisa.

Rosary was recited at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Redford on Monday evening.  Mass of Christian Burial followed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Redford and was officiated by Father Miguel Alcuino.  Burial was in Redford Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Acres West Funeral Chapel in Odessa and condolences to the family may be sent online at acreswestfuneral.com.

Ezequiela Arispe

Ezequiela Muñiz Arispe, 68, entered into Eternal Life on November 3, 2015.

Rosary will be at 7pm Friday, November 20 with Father Jovino Antonio Martinez Ceballos officiating at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine. Funeral Mass is 10am Saturday, November 21 at the church with burial in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Ezequiela was born April 10, 1947 in Alpine to Pedro and Celestina Huerta Muñiz. She married Tomas Arispe Sr. on June 28, 1968 in Alpine. She enjoyed cooking and baking.  Ezequiela was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend who will be greatly missed but will remain in our hearts forever.

She is survived by her son, TJ Arispe of San Antonio; her daughter, Diana Arispe Miller of San Antonio; her grandson, John-Eric Arsipe of San Antonio; her brothers, Celestino Muñiz of Plainview, Pablo Muñiz of Artesia, New Mexico, Juan Muñiz of Alpine, and Joel Muñiz of Alpine; also many nieces, nephews, and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tomas Arispe; her parents, Pedro and Celestina Muñiz; her brothers, Merced Muñiz, Cruz Muñiz, and Felipe Muñiz; and her sisters, Preciliana Mancha and Felicita Guadamama.

Benita Rodriguez

Benita H. Rodriguez, 80, of Presidio passed from this life on Friday, November 20, 2015 at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa.

She was born in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Mexico on March 21, 1935 to the late Miguel and Antonia (Rey) Hinojos. She was a homemaker and loving wife and mother to nine children. She was a devout Catholic who prayed the Rosary every evening.

Benita was a very happy person who loved to be with her family. She enjoyed sewing and cooking. Every time she came to Odessa, she made carne con papas tacos and whenever the family came to Presidio, she cooked goat. She also enjoyed gardening and caring for her plants.

Those left to cherish her love and memory are her husband, Francisco Rodriguez of Presidio; four sons, Manuel Rodriguez and wife Alma and Facundo Rodriguez and wife Juanita, all of Presidio, Francisco Rodriguez Jr. and wife Alma Delia, Mario Rodriguez and wife Mileydi, and Daniel Rodriguez, all of Odessa; four daughters, Rosa Rodriguez Rios and husband Jose of Ojinaga, Carolina Leyva and husband Joel, Irma Dominguez and husband Armando, and Leticia Tharp and husband Robert, all of Presidio; brothers Matias and Esequiel Hinojos, both of Ojinaga; sisters Candelaria Carrasco and Magdalena Hinojos, both of Ojinaga; also 23 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Carlota Baeza.

Rosary and the funeral Mass were the morning of Tuesday, November 24 at Santa Teresa de Jesus Catholic Church in Presidio with burial in Desert Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Acres West Funeral Chapel, and condolences to the family may be sent online at acreswestfuneral.com.

Benjamin Macias Jr.

Benjamin Macias Jr., 87, of Alpine, passed away Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at Saint Teresa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in El Paso.

Rosary will be recited at 10am with Mass of Christian Burial at 11am Wednesday, November 25 at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine with burial and graveside service in Holy Angels Cemetery.

Mr. Macias was born in Terlingua on April 14, 1928 to Benjamin and Nicholasa Macias. He had worked for the Big Bend National Park Service for many years.

He is survived by a daughter, Norma Cruz and her husband Carlos of Hobbs, New Mexico; his sons, Orlando Macias and his wife Irma of San Jose, California, Benjamin Macias III, also of San Jose, and Michael Macias Sr. of Alpine; a sister, Rosaura Jordan of Summerville, South Carolina; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ofelia; a son, George Macias; his brothers Sabino, Salomon and Juan Macias; his sisters, Juana Mireles, Mikala Ramos, Rosa Sanchez and Isabella (Chavela) Longoria; and his parents, Benjamin and Nicholasa Macias Sr.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Steve Anderson

Steve Anderson, Brewmaster at Big Bend Brewing Co., passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at his home in Alpine after a valiant fight against cancer. Big Bend Brewing Company lost our Brewmaster; all of Texas lost a true craft beer pioneer and a friend.

A Celebration of Life party will be held at Big Bend Brewing Company at 3pm Saturday, December 5. Please bring a dish to share and come have a beer in Steve’s honor.

Born in 1962 in Dallas, Steve was on the forefront of many of Texas’s cultural changes of the last five decades. Moving to Austin as soon as he finished high school, Steve was an instrumental part of Austin’s burgeoning punk scene.

He was a member of Cry Babies, Screws, Toxic Shock, and was the original singer for Scratch Acid. He was there for the Big Boys shows at Raul’s, which would later turn into his beloved Showdown. He was in the movie Slacker. And he helped create the craft beer phenomenon that Texans enjoy today.

Steve loved beer. He was, in the words of one of his closest friends, “the best man in the world to drink a beer with.” Steve’s entire career was a tribute to beer, friends, and having beers with friends.

In the 1980s, he was homebrewing and working as a bartender for long-time friend Billy Forrester at The Texas Showdown, a legendary Austin beer bar on the Drag.

After taking a trip together to the Great American Beer Festival in 1991, Billy and Steve were inspired to open a brewpub.

Unfortunately, brewpubs were not legal in Texas at that time, so they made a deal: Steve would attend the Siebel Institute Brewing Program to refine his brewing knowledge, and Billy would lobby the Texas Legislature to change the law.

Two years after that trip, with the law successfully changed, they made their dream a reality and opened Waterloo Brewing Co. at 4th & Guadalupe, making Steve the first Brewmaster of the first brewpub in Texas.

Sadly, Waterloo became an early victim of escalating Austin rents in 2001 and the building was torn down. Thankfully, it had already inspired a tidal wave of interest in craft brewing in Austin, launching the amazing craft beer culture that continues in the city today.   

After Waterloo closed, Steve became the Head Brewer at Austin’s legendary Live Oak Brewing Co. Steve worked closely with founder Chip McElroy from 2001 to 2012 to build Live Oak to the renowned and long-standing brewery it is today.

As the population exploded in Austin, Steve and his wife Ellen Weed yearned for a slower pace of life. After owning a second home in Sanderson for many years and falling in love with the Big Bend region of Texas, Steve dreamed of opening a brewery out by the National Park.

In 2012, he found a team of people who loved Far West Texas and craft beer as much as he did, and he left Austin to start Big Bend Brewing Co. in Alpine, Texas. Over the past three years, Steve and the team grew BBBC from zero to over 5,000 barrels of annual production.

Last spring, Steve transitioned all day-to-day production brewing responsibilities to his apprentice Amy Oxenham, the Brewery Manager Henryk Orlik, and BBBC’s bright team of young brewers. Steve turned his attention to developing our small batch brewing program, purchasing a small brewpub system to brew specialty series, collaborations with other breweries, and exclusive tap room beers.

Unfortunately, we collectively ran out of time before Steve could make this vision a reality.

But we will carry on his legacy. To honor Steve, we will be naming the taproom at BBBC “Steve’s Cantina.” We welcome current, future, and aspiring Texans to share great craft beer and memories from one of the originals. There will be only brewers in Steve’s Cantina, no brewmasters: it will only ever have one.

To Steve: Friend, Brewmaster, Legend

Brewmaster:

Waterloo Brewing – 1993 to 2001

Live Oak Brewing – 2001 to 2012

Big Bend Brewing – 2012 to 2015

Steve’s Cantina – 2015 and beyond

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Pints for Prostate, an organization created to encourage men to have regular prostate screenings.

The brewery is located at 3401 W US 90, Alpine; (432) 837-3700, info@bigbendbrewing.com

Manuel Venegas

Manuel Garcia Venegas, 86, of Marfa, passed away at Big Bend Regional Medical Center on Sunday, November 29, 2015.

Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial begin at 10am today, Thursday, December 3 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marfa with burial in the Catholic cemetery.

Mr. Venegas was born November 26, 1929 to Isidro and Josefa Garcia Venegas. He had worked as a supervisor at Godbold Inc. in Marfa for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Guadalupe L. Venegas of Marfa; a daughter, Gracie Parras of Marfa; a son, Manuel Venegas of San Antonio; a brother, Victor Venegas of El Paso; also six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He was  preceded in death by his daughter Linda Nuñez.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Tom Robinson

Thomas Max “Tom” Robison of Fort Davis passed away Thursday, November 26, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born May 22, 1939 in San Angelo to L. Miller Robison and Eda Schneemann Robison. He attended Ozona Elementary School and then Marfa High School where he graduated in 1957. He attended West Texas State University and Sul Ross State University.

On November 26, 1960 Tom married Roxa Ann Medley in Marfa. Tom and Roxa made their home at the San Esteban Ranch in Presidio County where they welcomed two children. He enjoyed team roping during this time and had many great times with his friends at ropings throughout the area.

Tom and Roxa moved to Cody, Wyoming to operate their Big Game Outfitting business based in the Shoshone National Forrest. They returned to the Marfa/Fort Davis area in 1972 where Tom was engaged in ranching.

He served on the Marfa Independent School District Board of Trustees for several years as well as serving on other community organizations. During this time he earned his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying over West Texas. He also enjoyed team roping and playing golf. Tom’s sharp wit and direct comments were well known and appreciated, for the most part.

Tom is survived by Roxa, his wife of 55 years; his children, William “Bill” Max Robison, Elizabeth “Besa” Martin, his son-in-law, Roy G. Martin Jr.; his granddaughters, Danielle Jewell and her husband, David Jewell, Madeline Matthews, Whitney Martin, and Delaney Martin; his siblings, Lewis M. Robison, Eda Ann Brown, and Roy O. Robison; and large extended family.

Graveside services were Sunday, November 29 on the Medley Ranch in Jeff Davis County.

Serving as pallbearers are William “Bill” Max Robison, Roy G. Martin Jr., Dan Schneemann, David Medley, Billy Dell Renfroe, Cleat Stephens, Ellery Aufdengarten, Curtis Evans, Hayes West, and Robbie Boyer.

Honorary pallbearers are Joe Medley, Mike Wilkins, Ritchie Reynolds, Erby Chandler, Jimmy Salcido, Red Brown, Bill Roberts, Dave Howard, Robbie White, Jim Espy Jr. and Mike Livingston.

Tom Robison’s family appreciates all of the love, concern and generosity shown by our family and friends.

Online condolences may be made at www.alpinememorialfuneralhome.com. Services have been entrusted to Alpine Memorial Funeral Home.

Francisco Natividad

Francisco Natividad, “Franco” as many of us knew him, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 29, 2015.

A graveside service will be held Friday, December 4 at 11am.

He was born in El Paso to Jesus and Encarnacion Natividad on March 28, 1943. He was a Veteran having served in the U.S. Navy.

He is survived by the love of his life, Ramona Zubiate; a son, Frank Natividad; daughters Cynthia Natividad, Debra Baker (Michael), Laura Karnes (Rick) and Kirstie Brevik (Ron); grandchildren Brian, Angela, Brandon, Zachary, Travis, Olivia, Gabriel, Amanda, Julia, William, Anderson, Mia, Ethan, Jordyn; great-grandchildren Kristofer, Scarlett and Jacxon; brothers, Al Natividad, Ruben Natividad, Fred Natividad and Jesse Natividad; sisters Elena Ruynun and Margarita Lindsey; and his two faithful canine companions Dingo and Edrick.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Franco’s time in Marfa was short but he brought a smile to the faces of all that met him.  His sense of humor was unmatched and he will be missed by all who came to know and love him.

Billie Lynn

Billie Hemler Lynn, 86, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, who coached Sul Ross State University volleyball teams to back-to-back national championships in the early 1970s, passed away Thursday, November 26, 2015 at her home.

There is no visitation, cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be held at 10am (Mountain Time) Friday, December 4 at the Carlsbad Cemetery (old section). Chaplain Mike Veilleux of Lakeview Christian Hospice will officiate.

She was born March 27, 1929 in Tell, Texas and was raised in Carlsbad, graduating from CHS in 1947. Following her high school graduation she attended NMSU where she was a cheerleader and a sorority member. She then transferred to Texas Christian University where she graduated with a degree in education in 1951 and in 1967 she earned a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from NMSU.

Billie and Douglas C. Lynn Sr. were married August 9, 1952 in Carlsbad, and in 1964 they moved to Alpine to teach at Sul Ross State University.

They returned to Carlsbad in 1976 and worked for Carlsbad Municipal Schools until her retirement in 1992.

During her tenure at Sul Ross, she served as the head of the Women’s Physical Education Department where she was the driving force behind the organization of a volleyball team that consisted of some of the nations’ top athletes, including former Olympians.

In the 1969-70 and 1970-71 seasons, the women’s volleyball team won the first two Associations for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Volleyball National Championships.

The AIAW governed women’s sports prior to NCAA recognition. Sul Ross State defeated UCLA and Long Beach State, respectively, in the championship matches. The team organized by Lynn posted a perfect 3-0 record during the National Tournament and amassed a perfect record for two seasons of 70-0.

Billie championed equality for women’s sports and was a staunch advocate of Title IX.

Another love for her was dance. While teaching at CHS, she organized and administered the dance program that is now one of the more popular activities at CHS and in the community. Always known for her tenacity and determination in building these programs, she seldom (if ever) took no for an answer in her quest to provide the absolute best opportunities for students in the classroom, the gym, and with policies during her time on the school board. Her contributions to women’s athletics and the performing arts will continue to resonate as her legacy in our schools and with our kids.

Billie is a former member of the Carlsbad Municipal Schools Board of Education and a longtime member of First United Methodist Church.

She is survived by a son, Doug Lynn Jr., wife Anissa, and daughter Janey Lynn, of Carlsbad; grandchildren Trey Lynn and wife Katie of Phoenix, Arizona, Shea O’Reilly of Carlsbad, Cami Sorensen and husband Chris of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Erin Lynn of Alpine, Dylan Lynn, Carrie Lou Lynn, and Baylee Lynn, all of Carlsbad; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Carrie Lou (Brininstool) Hemler; husband Doug Lynn Sr.; daughter Sandy Lynn; and brothers Taylor and Howard Pardue Hemler Jr.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Carlsbad Foundation, 114 S. Canyon St., Carlsbad, NM 88220, the Sandy Lynn Memorial scholarship.

Services have been entrusted to West Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at westfuneralhomellc.com.

Matilda Webster

Matilda Elvira Webster, 91, of Fort Davis passed away at Arbor House in Temple, Texas on Thursday, January 21, 2016.

Mrs. Webster was born in Fort Davis on March 15, 1924 to Marcelo and Lucia Olivas. She had worked as a cook at McDonald Observatory.

She is survived by daughters Mary Alice Halkins of Temple, Lucy Ann Sheffield of Salado, Texas, Rosie Jane Diaz of Andrews; a son, Walter Daniel Webster of Alpine; also 10 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Webster, and her son, Eddie Webster.

Rosary service was at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fort Davis the evening of Tuesday, January 26. Mass of Christian burial was the morning of Wednesday, January 27 at the church with graveside and burial in St. Joseph’s cemetery.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Longtime former Marfa resident May Tupper Quick passed away January 25, 2016 in New Braunfels, Texas.

May was born August 3, 1922 in San Antonio to Margaret Wright Tupper and Clifton H. Tupper Sr.

She married Lt. Bill M. Quick, May 11, 1942 in San Angelo. May and Bill moved to Marfa with their four children in 1958.  She lived in Marfa until April 2013 when she moved to New Braunfels.

May graduated from Alamo Heights High School, San Antonio; San Angelo College, and Sul Ross State University. She was employed by the San Angelo Standard-Times during World War II and taught in the Marfa public school system for many years.

May was an accomplished Batik artisan selling work in Dallas and New York and exhibiting in numerous southern cities. She was a charter member of the San Angelo Junior League and was a member of the Marfa History Club.

She served on the board of directors for the Friends of Fort Davis National Historic Site and was board president for eight years of the Marfa-Presidio County Museum.  She was a life long Episcopalian.

She is survived by her children, Joel H. Quick of Atlanta, Georgia; Marion M. Quick of San Marcos, Texas; Maggie Quick Hearn of Palacios, Texas; 19 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Bill M. Quick; a son, William Murphy Quick; and a grandson, Jonas M. Quick.

Memorials may be made to Grand Companions Humane Society, Fort Davis, Texas.

A private burial service will be held in Marfa.

Ben Morales

Benjamin G. Morales of Marfa passed away peacefully on January 20, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He was 79.

Born in Ruidosa, Texas on February 1, 1936, Benjamin was the son of Luis and Josefa Morales.

He worked as a foreman for the Hester Brite Ranch. He was always seen in neatly pressed jeans, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat.

In the midst of his 54 years of work, he was given the honor of being inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Though a strong man and rugged ranch hand, he loved the Lord and was a member of First Baptist Church of Marfa.

Benjamin was first and foremost a family man, the fearless patriarch of his family, a loving and caring husband to his wife, and a supporter and comforter to his children and grandchildren.

His great loves were being a cowboy, eating chocolate candy and supporting the Marfa Shorthorns. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father, and doting grandfather.

He was the beloved husband of 57 years to Alicia Rodriguez Morales. In addition to his loving wife, Benjamin is survived by two daughters, Mary Alice Hughes and her husband Thomas Hughes, and Yolanda Morales; his six grandchildren, Javier Castro and his wife Samantha Castro, Elizabeth Castro, Benjamin Castro, Robert A. Morales, Isabella Morales, and Diego Jurado; a great-granddaughter, Julianna Morales, daughter of Robert Morales and Elexsis Subia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luis and Josefa Morales; his son, Robert R. Morales; and his brothers, Sam and Adan Morales.

The celebration of a good life was held Saturday, January 23 at the First Baptist Church of Marfa. Burial was in Merced Cemetery, Marfa.

Benjamin G. Morales was carried to rest by his beloved grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are Lourdes Aguirre, Felipe Castillo, Leo Carrillo, Jimmy Martinez, Ike Brakin, Jim White Jr., Bubba Glosson, and Albert Salcido.

Father Lucido

In an interview on his 65th birthday in 2007, Father John Joseph Lucido said of the future: “I can’t see myself doing anything else but fading off into the sunset as a Catholic priest, doing whatever work I’m physically able to do until that great day when God says, ‘Come on, it’s time to see what the real thing really is’, Amen.”

That great day arrived for Father John last Thursday, January 21, 2016. He was living in Kermit at the time. He was 73.

He was born September 23, 1942, in Savannah, Georgia to Joseph L. and Raney Ines (Hilliard) Lucido.

Father John, as he was called by many who knew him, served as the parish priest at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Monahans for about 22 years as well as churches all over West Texas, including St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fort Davis, Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marathon.

Lucido said in the same interview, “I thought about becoming a priest at a very young age, maybe high school, but never did anything about it. I never was really moved to do anything about it. I always thought I wanted to do a lot of other things first – see the world, and study everything under the sun.”

After high school, Father John attended Johns Hopkins University and graduated in 1964 with a degree in Romance Languages, and then attended graduate school for a short time.

He was drafted into the US Army in 1964, and remained in the service for two years, until 1966.

After his time in the service, his interests took him into teaching. He found a job teaching high school near El Paso, and spent two years teaching, one year in a public school and one in a Catholic school.

It was somewhere around this time Father John decided he didn’t want to spend his life “doing everything and nothing in particular. So, I thought, I used to think of being a priest, why not give it a try.”

And he did.

Father John spent the next four years at a seminary, the Pontifical College of Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

From there he returned to West Texas where he served in parishes in El Paso, Alpine, Fort Davis, Marathon, Kermit, and finally Monahans. Though he retired in 2014 due to health issues, he continued to assist Catholic churches in the area.

According to Father John, the thought of being connected, perhaps in service, to God was always present in his life. “I knew that the more you give to God, the more He gives to you. So many times, He redirected me in many aspects of life. He is not calling on you to save the world,” he said. Throughout his life, Father John never had any serious doubts about God or the Church. “For me, the best way to serve was by being a priest. So many ways, anywhere, anything, any reason, all in service to God. But, that is not true for everyone.”

“He was always very approachable,” said Molly Nunez, a parishioner of St. John’s and a friend of Father John. “He always had time to talk, always had time to help you with your problems.”

Perhaps one reason Father John connected with his parishioners so well was his humility.

As one parishioner put it, “He served God, and it was for the Church and the members, not for Father John. Although Father John enjoyed traveling and reading books, and caring for animals, his true love was God and the Church. He took great delight in sharing his faith with others and demonstrating his love with a servant’s heart.”

He is survived by his nieces Mary Clare Bland of Madrid, Spain, and Catherine Wolfers and husband Kenton of Corte Madera, CA; his nephew Michael Bland Jr. of Denver, Co; and grand-nieces   Ruby and Raney Wolfers.

Father John was preceded in death by his parents   Joseph and Ines Lucido and his sister Donna Bland.

Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Jan. 26 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Monahans with Bishop Mark Seitz officiating.  A cremation followed. There will be a memorial Mass held at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor of Monahans and online condolences may be sent to the family at http:/www.fs-fp.com.

Special thanks to Ruby Briggs of the Monahans News for this obituary.

Bruce Grove Lippincott of Alpine died peacefully January 17, 2016.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania March 29, 1924. He graduated from Cornell University in 1948.

Bruce was a renowned tenor saxophone player who during his show business career played in New York City, New Orleans, San Francisco.

In 1957 he gave up show business and turned to the meditative life of yoga. After a few years of travel looking for a place to settle Bruce moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. In Santa Fe he found a low-key musical community. In this atmosphere he developed his work as a poet and humorist.

Seeking a warmer, quieter place to live he moved to Fort Davis in the early 1980s. He moved to Alpine in 1988.

He is survived by his nephew, Nicholas Lippincott of Medea, Pennsylvania.

No memorial has been planned at Bruce’s request.

Alpine Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of his arrangements. Condolences may be sent to www.alpinememorialfuneralhome.com.

Adan Estrada

Adan Estrada, 56, of Valentine, passed away in Valentine on January 11, 2016.

He was born in Fabens on July 27, 1959. He was a lifelong resident and high school graduate of Valentine.

After graduating, he married his high school sweetheart, Irma on June 24, 1977.

Adan had a talent for working on cars so he opened his own business and worked there as a mechanic for many years. In 1993, he decided he was going to work in Van Horn so he started working at Napa as a parts advisor. He loved what he did and made many friends.

In 2005 his heart was filled with joy when he became a “Popo” to his granddaughter Makayla, followed by her sisters Amaris and Arysenay.  Adan was a good person always trying to help people no matter what they needed. He liked to sing, his favorite songs were “That’s Amore” and the Bonanza theme song.  He had to have his sweets and his Coca-Cola even though they were bad for him and always conned his daughter Eva into making doughnuts for him. Adan was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend; he will be truly missed by all his family and friends.

Adan is survived by his wife, Irma Estrada of Valentine, his son, Adan Estrada Jr. of Valentine; his daughter, Eva Rey and her husband Edwardo of Valentine; a brother, Juan Estrada of Valentine; three granddaughters, Makayla, Amaris and Arysenay.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Alejandra Estrada; his grandmother, Maria Hernandez; and his twin sister, Eva Estrada.

A funeral Mass was January 16 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church of Van Horn officiated by Father Saul Pacheco. Burial was in Valentine Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Pancho Romero, Richard Babb, Manuel Quintana Sr., Robert Alvarado, Michael Gomez, Julian Garcia, Enrique Alvarez and Ralph Alvarado. Honorary Pallbearers are Raul Espudo and Henry Carrasco.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home of Van Horn.

To sign the guestbook or leave the family a message, please log on-line to pecosfuneral home.com.

Billy and Wendy at Billy’s last concert and perhaps his last public performance, Joe’s Café, St. Louis, Missouri, June 25, 2015. The concert is available to view on YouTube: Billy Faier 1.

By WENDY WRIGHT

MARFA – It was a very pleasant summer’s evening in Marfa, and I am performing alongside banjo legend Billy Faier at the Hotel Paisano’s courtyard in 2011.

My guitar and Billy’s banjo playing are sounding exceptionally good, and we have a responsive audience. Up until this point, we have been playing our usual set, but Billy suggests we play ‘The Darby Ram,’ a tune I am unfamiliar with. I tell him I should sit this one out, but he is adamant that I play along and gives me a run down of the chords. There are some quick changes in the song, and before long, I am lost. I just can’t keep up and I am disappointed as Billy, once again, believes I am a better, more adept guitar player than I think I am.

Although he is my mentor, sometimes it is very difficult to play and keep up with Billy. He has been playing the banjo for over 60 years and was right in the middle of the folk music scene in Washington Square Park, NYC, back in the late 1940s. He was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time in American folk music history – from early 1950s New Orleans, to late 1950s San Francisco and Woodstock in the 1960s.

I first met Billy through mutual friends in Terlingua in 2001. I was working at Chinati Hot Springs and had been playing the guitar less than a year. Although I knew a few chords, I was struggling and looking for serious inspiration. Billy was part of a group of musicians who played a New Year’s Eve gig at Ben’s Lounge in Ruidosa. The musicians stayed at the Hot Springs that night, and this was Billy’s first time to the magical oasis. Billy was enchanted with the place, and told me he planned to come back soon, which he did. Billy made several visits to the Hot Springs before heading to New York for the summer, and was more than happy to give me guitar lessons. This proved to be the inspiration I was looking for.

Billy has always encouraged me to play. In 2002, while visiting Billy in Woodstock, he was teaching me some new song when his neighbor, a NYC firefighter, came over to chat. At some point, this guy asked to borrow my guitar, and he played and sang a great John Prine song, ‘Please Don’t Bury Me,’ then bid us farewell and went off to work. As his neighbor walked away, Billy told me that if I just picked up the guitar and played everyday, soon I would be able to play and sing as easily as this firefighting guy. He always impressed upon me that performing – whether it be an impromptu guitar borrow, a music jam around a campfire or a paid gig – was obtainable, not necessarily easy, but certainly obtainable with practice.

The now defunct, but dearly remembered Marfa Music Jam was born out of this desire to play, practice and perform.

In the 17 years Billy has been teaching me, challenging me, occasionally nagging me and encouraging me to play the guitar, our duo performance has evolved into something special. Perhaps it is the songs we play – from bluegrass and gospel to Bob Dylan, John Prine, Johnnie Cash, Gillian Welch and original Billy Faier tunes – songs that are near and dear to me, that have taken our show to another level. I still have a lot to learn, but the joy I experience being a musician is worth the hours and hours of practice.

Back at the Hotel Paisano, I manage to put the weak performance of ‘The Darby Ram’ behind me. We decide to replay a tune we started the evening with, as there is a new late-evening crowd. The first song Billy taught me was ‘Angel from Montgomery,’ by John Prine. It has become a solid standard we play with confidence. We perform the tune flawlessly, and I sing it with great strength and conviction and we are rewarded with fantastic applause. The one thing I’ve learned performing along side Billy is what a marvelous gift it is to bring music to life.

Billy Faier

Long-time West Texas resident and five-string banjo legend Billy Faier succumbed to lung cancer last Friday, January 29, 2016.

Billy was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1930 before spending the next few decades wandering the county with his banjo from Woodstock, New York to San Francisco, California – with a brief stint in Mexico – before spending the final years of his life in Marathon.

Billy came to age on East 5^th and Avenue D in New York City’s Lower East Side, which became home to the burgeoning urban folk music scene in the 1940s, playing banjo and learning the ropes among the musicians, poets, and painters that made the scene, including legendary Beat poet Bob Kaufman.

In his 60-plus year career playing banjo, Billy traveled with, performed, and became friends with such folk music luminaries as Woody Guthrie, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Pete Seeger, and Brew Moore.

Billy cut his first record, The Art of the Five String Banjo (a sly reference to Johan Sebastian Bach’s The Art of the Fugue) with guitarist Frank Hamilton for New York’s famed jazz and blues label, Riverside Records in 1957. The album was recorded by famed folk producer Kenneth Goldstein and had back jacket notes written by Pete Seeger.

The 1960s and 1970s saw Billy expand and diversify his musical output with the Beatles-inspired rock n roll record The Beast of Billy Faier in 1964 and 1973’s Banjo, a record devoid of folk and focused on original banjo compositions. He would later return to folk on a series of cassettes recorded throughout the 1980s.

Billy continued playing throughout the remainder of his life despite having suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome, which was remedied through a minor surgery.

He acted as a mentor to aspiring musicians in West Texas.

Billy is survived by a son, daughter-in-law, and grandson in California.

For more on Billy’s incredible life and adventures, please visit www.billyfaier.com.

A musical celebration and gathering in his honor will take place in the coming weeks.

Richard James Bain Sr.

Richard James Bain Sr. of San Angelo and formerly of Alpine passed away Thursday, January 28, 2016.

Born November 25, 1936, Richard’s greatest passions were serving Jesus and loving his family. Richard’s legacy of faith is nearly matched by the legacy of lives he changed through his life’s work as an educator. He inspired everyone he taught to set goals and achieve their dreams.

He graduated second in his class at Barksdale, Texas High School in 1955 and received his bachelor’s and M. Ed. from Sul Ross State University, where he graduated with honors.

After obtaining his E.D.D. (doctorate) from the University of Houston, he worked with the Texas Education Agency then served as Dean of Education at Sul Ross for many years.

He then served as Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent at Monahans before moving on to Andrews as Assistant Superintendent.

Richard and his wife Pat moved to San Angelo to enjoy their retirement but both soon found themselves teaching in the Education Department at Angelo State University.

Richard retired from ASU in 2014 and poured his time and energy into serving the Lord as a Deacon at Glen Meadows Baptist in San Angelo. He was bold and compassionate in sharing his faith at every opportunity, especially through the jail ministry.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Bain; daughter Joni Reese and son-in-law Kent Reese of Andrews; granddaughter Roseann Webb and her husband Greg of San Angelo; grandson Kent Reese Jr. and his wife Kaleena of Nashville, Tennessee; son Richard Bain Jr., daughter-in-law Pam Bain and grandson Caleb Bain of Silsbee, Texas; grandson Joshua Bain, his wife Michele,and great-grandchildren Josiah and Mayli of Moscow, Texas, and granddaughter Lynsi Murphy and her husband Andrew of Garland, Texas; also siblings Gwen Cole, Helen Craig, June Perkins, Francis Shipman, Curtis Bain, Alvin Bain, and a great many nieces, nephews, beloved friends, colleagues and former students.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Rankin Bain and Grace Wells Bain.

Two services were held, Monday, February 1 at Glen Meadows Baptist Church in San Angelo where Johnson’s Funeral Home handled arrangements. A second service was held in Richard’s hometown on Tuesday, February 2 at Barksdale Baptist Church in Barksdale. Burial was in Barksdale Cemetery. Nelson Funeral home of Camp Wood handled those arrangements. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at johnsons-funeralhome.com.