John Edwin Minnick, Sr., 84, of Midland, and formerly of Big Spring, beloved husband, father and grandfather, went home to be with our Lord on Wednesday, May 25, 2005. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Chapel, 3800 N. Big Spring St. in Midland. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday at the Peace Chapel of Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring, Texas. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 27, 2005 from 7 until 8 P.M. at the funeral home in Midland.John was born May 11, 1921 to Nicholas W. and Willie Olivia (Hale) Minnick at Ranger, Texas. He was raised in Gail, Texas where he worked as a ranch hand on the Clayton Ranch. He married Lorene Thrash on December 21, 1946 in Lamesa, Texas. They lived in Snyder and Big Spring for many years. John played stand up bass with Hoyle Nix and the West Texas Cowboys from 1948 to 1958, and was a member of the origianl band. He worked for the city of Big Spring for 27 years, first as a firefighter and then as a police officer. He retired from the Police Department in 1985. He was a longtime member of Westside Baptist Church in Big Spring. John and Lorene moved to Midland in 1993. He served his country in the United States Army during WWII in the 241st Field Artillery Battalion. Among his decorations were a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. John is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Lorene of Midland, a son, Edwin and his wife Donna, a daughter, Sheila and husband, Gary McKinney, all of Midland, two grandsons, Lesley Don and wife Crystal Simpson of Austin and John W. and wife Tamara Minnick of Midland. He is further survived by two brothers and two sisters: A.H. Minnick and Sis Wooten of Lubbock, and Alva Minnick and Wanda Bradley of Midland, and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by three brothers, Vernon, Doc, and Bud Minnick and two grandsons, Michael Minnick and Wesley John Simpson.The family suggests memorials to the Bible Fund of the Midland Police Department or Midland Fire Department, or to the Gideons International, P.O.Box 11153, Midland, TX 79702.,
