Charlie Shanks

Charlie Ray Shanks, age 95, passed from this life Friday, May 26, 2023 at his home. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00am, Friday, June 2, 2023 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel in Big Spring. Interment will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, June 3, 2023 at Trinity Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00pm until 8:00pm, Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.

Charlie Shanks was born at the family farm in Comanche County September 18, 1927 to Grover Cleveland Shanks and Clara Hightower Shanks, the sixth child of eleven children. The family moved to Howard County in January of 1940 to begin farming north of Big Spring. After graduating from Knott High School, Charlie served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Charlie farmed for a few years, then moved to Big Spring to work for Texas Electric until his retirement in 1983.

Charlie married LaRue Tate January 15, 1951 in Knott, Texas. They were married 63 years until LaRue’s passing in 2014.

Charlie was an active member of 14th & Main Church of Christ, where he served many years as a deacon. He enjoyed playing games, telling “tall tales”, and being with friends and family. He was an avid collector of arrowheads and other artifacts and of western memorabilia, particularly knives and spurs. He made many friends while going to the Western Shows and Gun and Knife Shows throughout Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona.

Survivors include his four children and their spouses: LaShara Shanks Nieland and her husband Andy of Abilene, Stanley Shanks and his wife Sherry of Dallas, Diana Shanks Armstrong and her husband Larry of Midland and Carla Shanks Gonzalez and her husband Eugene of Farmers Branch. Grandchildren include Zachary Nieland, Zane Nieland, Ben Shanks, Luke Shanks, Jeremy Pinner, Lindsey Marrow and Lauryn Bellar. He is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, seven brothers: Clim Shanks, Doyle Shanks, Grover Shanks, Howard Shanks, Autov Shanks, Wade Shanks and John Shanks along with his three sisters: Norene Shanks Guill, Eva May Shanks and Jimmye Ruth Shanks Burks.

The family would like to give special honor and thanks to the excellent caregivers who made it possible for him to remain in his home: Rosa Alcantar, Socorro Mata, Marlene Rodriguez, Gricelda Hinojos and Margaret McDaniel. The Home Health and hospice nurses and the VA health team were also very helpful.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com

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