Couts Monroe Garland, 91, of Midland, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 15, 2003, in a Big Spring Care Facility. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 20, 2003 at Authon Cemetery in Parker County. Couts Garland was born October 16, 1912, in the Garland Bend of the Brazos River, Palo Pinto County, Texas, to Washington Lafayette Garland and Mattie Belle Darnell Garland.Couts' father came to Texas from the Carolinas via Arkansas in the 1860s. He bought land and ranched in Palo Pinto County along the Brazos River. Couts attended schools in Palo Pinto County. He married Maudine Taylor in Marietta, Oklahoma, on April 5, 1934.He was a member of the Church of Christ. Couts was employed as a roustabout and as a switcher in the Yates field around Iraan for the Ohio Oil Co., and later as a pumper for Texaco at Notrees, Texas, until his retirement. He worked ar the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Plant in Fort Worth, Texas during World War II. For the better part of his life, Couts raised cattle and chickens, and was known for his homegrown tomatoes. He played the harmonica by ear and was a good dancer. As a young man, he excelled in track, and played on the baseball teams for the oil companies where he worked. He enjoyed trotline fishing and traveling.Couts is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Beverly Garland Burkes and Jack Burkes of Midland; his son, Pat Monroe Garland of El Paso; sister, Mayme George Hill Wenigar of Azusa, California; two grandsons and their wives, K. Todd and Judy Burkes of Spring, Texas, Terry C. and Kelli Burkes of Midland; Two granddaughters, Stephanie K. Garland Ruby of Buda, and Melanie Garland Baize of El Paso; ten great grandchildren, Jonathan and William Burkes of Midland, Kathleen, Kristen and Kolten Burkes of Spring, April Howell, Tiffany Jameson of Washington, DC, Sean Sipes of Buda, and Wade and Paige Baize of El Paso; one great great granddaughter, Devon and many dear nieces and nephews.Couts Garland was preceded in death by his wife, Maudine Taylor Garland, in 1998; his father in 1918; his mother in 1964; a grandson, Pat Monroe Garland, Jr. in 1984; a brother, Ollie Lee Garland in 1996; a sister, Cordie Rex Garland Dick in 1994; eight half brothers, George Armenius Garland, John Ernest (Bud) Garland, William L. Garland, Jesse Lee Garland, Matthew Arnold Garland, Grover Cleveland Garland, Robert Ross Garland, and Jackson (Jack) Garland.The family suggests memorials be made to: Comanche Trails Nursing Center, 3200 Parkway, Big Spring, TX 79720 or to Midland Christian School, 2001 Culver, Midland, TX 79705 or to a charity of one's choice.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
