Robert Albert R.A Sadler

Robert Albert (R.A.) Sadler was born on June 2, 1927, in Nederland, Texas to Obie Briscoe Sadler and Mary Irene Lindsey Sadler. He passed away on January 12, 2022. R.A attended school at Henry’s Chapel near Troup, Texas until the family moved to San Diego, Texas in 1939. In 1940, the family moved to Freer, Texas where R. A. attended school until 1944. At the age of sixteen, he left home with his cousin, lied about his age, and joined the US Navy. After boot camp, he was deployed to the Pacific fleet on the USS Colorado where he served as Seaman First Class. In a battle off the coast of the Philippines, R. A. was wounded when a kamikaze pilot hit his ship. He received a purple heart.

After the war, R.A. and several other returning vets were allowed to attend classes with the senior class of 1947 to prepare for the GED test. R. A. passed his exam and graduated with the class. While taking classes, he noticed a young lady, Erma Jane (Jane) Walker, who became his wife on August 15, 1947. At that time, R.A. began a career with Sun Oil Company. He and Jane lived in the Sun Oil Camp in Freer until 1966 when he transferred to West Texas. The couple made their home in Snyder, Big Spring, Robert Lee, and Hobbs, New Mexico. While living in Hobbs, R.A. retired from Sun Oil Company and went to work for the State of New Mexico Oil Commission. He retired from that position in 1991. In 1992, the couple moved to Midland where they lived until Jane’s death in 2011. R. A. has resided at Parks Retirement Center and Courtyards Assisted Living since 2012.

R.A. made it clear to everyone that it was a joy being married to Jane and raising their two children, Karan, and Rob, together. He taught Rob’s Little League teams and listened patiently to Karan’s piano recitals. He loved birds and other animals and you could always find a bird feeder somewhere on his property. Two of his dogs, Max, and Prissy, were like members of the family.

R.A. was extremely loyal to his family and friends. Anyone who knew R.A. knew that he was going to take a vacation in the summer. He loved history and no one had to beg him to stop at historical markers. Hunting, camping, fishing being outdoors—these suited R.A. He made sure that he and Rob had time together sharing these hobbies. He shared his love of history with Karan who later became a history and English teacher. R.A. always regretted his lack of formal education and made sure that his two children graduated from Texas Tech University with no debts.

R.A is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, three brothers, and three sisters.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Karan and Jim Carlton, of Canyon, Texas; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Joanna Sadler, of Odessa, Texas; his brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Pete Sadler, of the Woodlands, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Over the years, R.A. was “grandpa” to Laura, Michelle, and Melissa Johns and loved to spend time with Connor Garcia. The family wants to thank the staff at Parks and Courtyards for their faithful care over the years.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Nalley-Pickle and Welch Funeral Home in Midland, Texas. A graveside service will be held at Resthaven Memorial Park and Cemetery in Midland on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 1:00 pm. Rev. Raul Garcia pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Odessa, Texas will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Asbury United Methodist Church, 4001 E. University Blvd, Odessa, TX 79762.