Eric Wayne Looney

Eric Wayne Looney, age 87, of Midland passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.

He was born on April 29, 1936, in Santo, Texas. Coach, as he is affectionately known, graduated from Stephenville High School in 1954. An outstanding athlete, he is a member of the Stephenville Yellowjacket Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended Tarleton Junior College, playing both basketball and baseball while there. He also played basketball at McMurry College, from where he graduated in 1958.

His first teaching and coaching job was at Ackerly High School. It was during his tenure there when he met and later married his wife of over 64 years, Winnie Taylor, on June 4, 1959. Three children were born to this union. Coach’s career included stops at Goldthwaite, Dublin, Ballinger, and Stanton, where he retired in 1989. His passion for teaching and coaching touched and influenced a multitude of young men and women.

After retirement, Coach and Winnie made their home in Midland, where they enjoyed traveling and being with family and friends.

His survivors include his wife, Winnie; three children: Derrick (Donna Sue), Lana Hughes, and Taylor (Kelley). Seven grandchildren: Hale (Morgan) Looney, Nathan (Cheridan) Looney, Justin (Berphy) Hughes, Hayden Hughes, Amelia Looney, Graham Looney, and Taylor Krueger. Eight great-grandchildren: Hudson Hughes, Eli Hughes, Blake Hughes, Caroline Looney, Elizabeth Looney, Taelyn Looney, Deegan Looney, and Kyrie Jane Looney and one brother, Larry Looney.

He was preceded in death by his father, Doyle Looney, his mother Tommie Looney and a brother Tommy Lynn Looney.

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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