Michael Mike Lynn Nance

Michael \Mike\ Lynn Nance, 69, of Midland, passed away from numerous brain tumors on Sunday, December 7th, 2014.  The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the First Christian Church in Midland.Mike was born on June 23, 1945 in Lockney, TX, to Wiley and Lula Nance. He was the youngest of 8 children, and grew up on the Nance family farm outside of Lockney, Texas.Although ten years younger than his nearest brother, and raised by parents, brothers and sisters much older than he, it is said that he didn't have to speak until he was 3 years old.  Despite this, he resisted being spoiled, or so he claimed.  He was raised by some of the most Godly, compassionate, and loving people on earth which is evidenced by how he treated others.He played baseball for Hardin-Simmons University for his first year of college and then moved to West Texas State University as an Agronomy major where he graduated with what he jokingly referred to as \without honors\.  He met his wife Brenda Maria Brenneman in September '66 and somehow convinced her to marry him in August of '67.  This pair of very special people fell deeply in love and did everything in life together.  Most people know them as “Mike and Brenda\….not just Mike or just Brenda.After graduating, Mike went to work with Central Soya in San Antonio.  The young couple were soon transferred to Yoakum, Texas where Mike then went to work at Yoakum Federal Savings and Loan.  There they spent five wonderful years of hunting, fishing, and eating great bar-b-que across South Texas.   In Yoakum they had both their favorite oldest and favorite youngest children (Andy and Robert).In 1975, the Nance family moved to Midland where Mike went to work as Vice President of Loans at Citizen Savings and Loan.  Upon returning to Midland, Mike joined Brenda’s home church, First Christian Church.Mike soon went to work for Weldon Taylor Appraisals, the beginning of a 30 year career.  About the same time, he met a mortgage loan officer by the name of Mike Reveley who convinced he and Brenda that they should be volunteer ski patrollers at Sierra Blanca Ski Area in Ruidoso, New Mexico; thus beginning a simultaneous 30 year career in service at the ski area.Not one to sit around, Mike devoted himself to continued development in his career, his service to ski patrol, and his service to the church where his growing faith and relationship with God molded the other areas of his life.In the mid 1980's, Mike got his Broker's license and then formed Mike Nance Appraisals.  He received his Society of Real Estate Appraiser designation from the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisals in 1990.  During this time he served as President of the Texas Plains Chapter of the Appraisal Institute on two occasions.Mike and Brenda really grew to love their times in Ski Patrol, the 5 hour drive to and from the mountain provided the family with some fantastic quality time and memories.  They found the other volunteer patrollers to be compassionate, have great character, and people who Mike and Brenda have always considered extended family.  In his service to Rocky Mountain Division of the National Ski Patrol, he earned his National Appointment No. 7653 in 1992, the Yellow Merit award in 1995, and served as patrol director to the newly renamed Ski Apache on two separate occasions.Forever changed by their Emmaus experiences, Mike and Brenda became more involved in their church activities.  Mike worked on multiple Emmaus walks and was a Lay director in the late 1990's. He soon became active in Community Bible Study, where he served on the leadership council.  He was Prayer Chairman for the better part of the last decade and loved to cook at the leadership retreats.At First Christian Church, his selfless service was deep and wide.  He never said no when asked to serve the Lord.  He was an elder; served as Chairman of Elders; Chairman of the Board on two occasions; member of multiple committees; found great enjoyment with working in Christians in Action (a.k.a Christmas in April); youth sponsor, cooked for Rock the Desert; planted trees at the church; cooked for Logos; and grew to love Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat where he served as a board member.Mike was a humble and Godly man who was not interested in being recognized for his accomplishments.  He was driven to serve and received great satisfaction out of helping others.Mike is survived by his wife of 47 years, Brenda Nance of Midland, TX; two sons, Andrew Nance and wife Michelle of San Marcos, TX; Robert Nance of Grand Canyon, AZ; two wonderful grandchildren Marco James and Amelia Lynn.  He is also survived by brother Joe Nance and his family; brother Tom Nance and his wife Mary and their families; sister-in-law Lorraine Nance; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.Mike is preceded in death by his parents; sisters Marie Henderson; Mayme Harp; Bobbie Nance; and brothers Wiley \Bud\ Nance; and Jim Nance.A special thanks to Home Hospice, Home Nursing, and Home Healthcare Equipment for providing emotional, spiritual, and physical support to Mike. Many thanks to everyone for their support and prayers over the last eight years.Donations may be made to First Christian Church (Endowment or Youth Fund), 1301 W. Louisiana Ave. Midland, Texas, 79701, or a local food bank in memory of Mike Nance of Midland, Texas.These loving memories were written to best of our abilities by Brenda, Andy and Robert.  If you experienced a chuckle, a smile, or a tear from reading about this man we truly loved, then to God be the Glory!,