Bobby Ray Mathis Passed away peacefully at his home in Midland TX, March 8, 2017.Bobby (Bob) was born February 17, 1934 in Brady TX to Willie Mae Metcalfe and Leslie Raymond Mathis. Bob spent his childhood years in the Brady and San Antonio TX area. After the untimely death of his father, Bob and family relocated to Andrews TX where he met his wife Elmyra Charlena Blackburn. Bob and Charlena married on June 29, 1953 in Andrews TX. Their first child Bobby was born December 30, 1954 followed by son Russell on December 12, 1956.As a teen in Andrews, Bob was known around the school halls as “Spider” thanks to his tall stature and gangly long arms. Very early in life, Bob developed a love for sports of all kinds that continued for the rest of his life. He was involved in youth sports when his sons were old enough to qualify for each and every seasonal sporting event. Dad led by example for us during a Friday Night football game between Andrews Mustangs and rival Seminole Indians when he and his brother Billy stole the Seminole tomahawk and ran across midfield carrying the prized tomahawk.Bob worked the oilfields of West Texas beginning as a roughneck for Ralph Lowe working out of Andrews TX. Bob and family moved to Jal New Mexico 1962 where he was as a Pumper for Ralph Lowe. In the early 60’s, Jal was a happening place and Bob was an active member of the Jaycees, which sponsored many social events in the community. Following a short return to Andrews, the family moved to Midland where Bob worked for Borden Dairy. He returned to the oilfield as Pumper for Hanley Petroleum around 1970. Workdays were only the prelude to the sporting event of evening.Bob enjoyed time with family friends. When he and Charlena retired to the Hill Country of Texas to own and operate Thunderbird Resort on Lake Buchanan, they could count on plenty of visits from family and friends. All of the kids and grandkids enjoyed visiting the resort and later the “true retirement” home north of Mable Falls. There the family developed many fond memories. Bob had built a long white fence around their five acres where he tended to the horses, donkeys, chickens and an occasional cow.Bob and Charlena moved to Lubbock in 2007, where you would think they would slow down. You would not know it as Bob was known for taking care of his well manicured yard as well as mowing the neighbor’s yards. Not because he wanted the neighborhood to look good, he just wanted to do it for the neighbors.Bob kept up the tradition after he and Charlena moved back to Midland in 2013 where once again the neighbors could see Bob out in their front yard blowing the acorns off their yard. If you drove by his house, there was a pretty good chance you would see him working (tinkering) on house, or relaxing on the front porch.Bob will be missed by his family, friends. (And Coco his chocolate lab).Bob is survived by his wife Charlena, son Bobby Graham and wife Cynda Brown of Chapel Hill TN, grandson John and wife Samantha, granddaughter Trina Renee and husband Maroon Ohanian, son Russell and his wife Wendy Mee of Midland TX, grandchildren Katie, Laura and husband Dillon and granddaughter Mollie.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.,
