John Onismus Nobles III

John Onismus Nobles III was born on October 30, 1944, in Greensboro, North Carolina to John O. Nobles, Jr. and Lucille Driscoll. John passed away peacefully with his family beside him on February 2, 2026. He attended Midland Independent Schools until his Junior or Senior year of high school when he transferred to Shriner Military Institute in Kerrville, Texas where he graduated in 1962. John went to work for Geophysical Services where he was transferred from Midland to the Inglewood center in California where he met his late wife Sandra “Sandi” Grabowski. After about six weeks of dating, John and Sandi eloped to Las Vegas, Nevada and were married on December 17, 1966, at the Little White Chapel of the Flowers. They enjoyed 50 wonderful years of marriage. In April 1968 they moved to Midland, Texas and lived out the rest of their lives.

John followed multiple different careers throughout his life, from ranching, to mechanic, to business and finally settled on real estate where he excelled in the profession. Before they had any children he was involved in the Midland Jaycees where he eventually became the State Director from 1974 – 1975 and President from 1975 – 1976. John enjoyed hunting and fishing. He joined High Sky Bass Club and entered many fishing competitions. He passed his love for hunting down to his children and his grandchildren. John was an avid shotgun competitor where he won multiple titles including three national championships. If you ever went over to his home, you would see exactly what kind of competitor he was. He had all of his awards on display from medals to plaques, to trophies to his ever-growing buckle collection. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to shoot at his ranch in Sonora, Texas. Eventually two of his grandchildren became competitive action rifle and pistol shooters just like their grandpa. John also served for five years as the Midland Shooters Association President. While his children were still at home, John became involved with the YMCA Indian Guides and became a Scout Master with Scout Troop 152. He also volunteered with the Lee High School band during marching season moving the “pit” on and off the sidelines. John was a very well-known and liked man around Midland. There was not a place you could go without him knowing at least one person in the room. Once you got past the hard exterior, John was a big old softy that would give you the shirt off his back.

John and Sandi had two children Matthew James Nobles (wife Clarissa) of Bryan, Texas, and Jennifer Nobles Bland (husband Jonathan) of Midland, Texas and a daughter from a previous marriage Elizabeth Lynne Nobles of Webster, Texas. John was blessed with ten grandchildren: Justin Nobles (36), Nadia Nobles (24), Lucas Bland (18), Victor Nobles (17), Cecilia Nobles (15), Allyson Bland (15), Olivia Nobles (12), Daniel Nobles (10), James Nobles (7), and Samantha Nobles (3).

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