Lee Earley

Lee EarleyLEANDER, TX—Lee Earley was called home to be with the Lord on September 13, 2011.

Born in Rio Hondo, on July 31, 1928, he was a resident of San Benito from his early childhood to 1974. He graduated from San Benito High School in 1945 at the age of 16. Following high school he worked for several years as a longshoreman in Port of Brownsville, then as a master electrician for Goode Electric for over 25 years. He retired from Texas State Technical College in Harlingen where he served for 20 years as manager of building operations.

Although skilled in building and mechanical trades, Lee’s true gift was as a writer. He wrote the class poem for his graduating class and followed it with poems for several of the class’s reunions. He was ineligible to serve in the armed forces, but he honored all servicemen and women with the poem, “My Friend Went to War,” about his boyhood friend and San Benito native, Jesse Whisenant. (Google “Who Was Jesse Whisenant?” to read his moving tribute.) Other poetry Lee wrote included humorous works, pieces about his Christian faith, and poems dedicated to his wife and other family members. His autobiography, entitled The Rich Little Poor Boy and the Girl on the Culvert includes many details of life in the early days of the Rio Grande Valley and the love story of his marriage to his wife of 60 years.

He was preceded in death by his father, L.W. Earley; mother, Crystal Brewington Earley; brother, Dale Earley, and sisters, Kathryn Earley Cavender and Mildred Earley Holloway.

Lee is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce Raybourn Earley; children Gene Earley and wife Marsha of Austin, TX; Vonnie Earley Eidson and husband Ed of Augusta, GA; Darcy Earley Vera and husband Carlos of San Antonio, TX; and brothers Dean Earley and wife Ava, and Kenneth Earley; and W.D. “Hookie” Holloway, Ray Cavender, and Leo Williamson, brothers-in-law.

Also surviving him are his devoted grandchildren: Miranda Earley Hart, Adam Earley, Amy Earley, Mollie Eidson Holmes, Trey Eidson, Logan Eidson, Matthew Vera, Michael Vera, Keegan Talbert and Kallan Talbert; and great-grandchildren: Averie Andrews, Jazz Lewis, Mason Hart, Amelia Hart, Jackson Earley and Colten Lee Holmes (due any day).

Pallbearers will include his nephews: Scott Cavender, Terry Earley, Billy Holloway, Randy Earley, Shawn Earley and Troy Earley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dean Earley, Kenneth Earley, Shayne Earley, Lance Earley, Glen Housley, John Harris, Gary Williamson, Verlyn Feller, Keith Goode and Charlie Adair.

Visitation will be on Saturday, September 17 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. just prior to the funeral service at 1 p.m. at Wrench Funeral Home, 1200 S. Bagdad Rd., Leander, TX. A brief graveside service and interment will follow at 4 p.m. at Bagdad Cemetery, Leander. The Earleys’ dear friend, the Rev. David Richardson of Victory Baptist Church in Cedar Park, will officiate.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.wrenchfuneralhome.com.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2011/09/16/lee-earley/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.