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Ronald T. Honaker


Ronald T. Honaker

Ronald T. Honaker

Ronald Terry Honaker, Sept. 3, 1953-May 4, 2021.

Terry Honaker was born in Pecos, Texas, the third son of Bill and Pat Honaker. Terry spent his childhood as a cowboy in the dirt of West Texas from Saragosa to Fort Stockton. Terry was raised in the Methodist Church, ran track, played football showed cattle through FFA and even achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

Terry graduated from Fort Stockton High School in 1972. College years began by following his two older brothers to Texas A&M University in College Station, but that didn’t last long and he found himself back in West Texas. While attending Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas he met his future bride, Cindy Heatly of San Marcos, Texas. They were married in July of 1976 and began their life together on the U Ranch in Balmorhea, Texas, where Terry worked as foreman for six years.

In 1982, Terry accepted the ranch foreman position on another branch of Wesley West Cattle Company on the Faith Ranch in Carrizo Springs, Texas, and moved Cindy and Samantha to South Texas. While on the Faith Ranch sons Tanner and Taylor were born.

In 1989, Terry left the Faith Ranch and moved his family to Uvalde and began his career as a helicopter pilot, flying for Jay Smith of Smith Helicopters, Inc. Terry was also a brand inspector for the bank, traveling as far as Nebraska to conduct cattle and horse inspections.

Terry worked hard providing for his family. He worked for ranches all over the country, often gone more than he was home.

When Terry was home you could always find him at the kid’s sports games, taking the kids hunting or hauling kids to a youth rodeo or stock show. Terry was a very skilled pilot, flying cattle round-ups, predator control, deer surveys and deer captures for almost 30 years. Terry was a cowboy first and a pilot second. He always said, “You have to know how to work cows on the ground first before you can work them from the air.” He had an eye for an arrowhead and could spot one from the air while flying, land and pick it up. Terry was a very well-respected pilot his entire career.

He was always a gentleman but could give a look that demanded a healthy fear and respect. Aside from a formal event, the only time Terry was seen outside of the house without a cowboy hat on was when he was flying a helicopter, then he wore a ball cap. If there was a job to be done, he did it and gave it his all and expected his kids to do the same.

Terry was a loyal friend, a wonderful father and grandfather. He taught all three kids everything he knew about working hard, almost to a fault and he may have passed on some of his grit and stubbornness. Although Terry and Cindy went their separate ways for many years, they were able to eventually reconnect and show their kids the love they had for each other before Cindy’s death in 2017.

The last days of his life were spent working on the VH Ranch in Balmorhea, Texas, as he had done for the last several years. Terry had just returned from a visit with his kids and grandkids and was the happiest he had been in a long time.

Terry was in a great place in his life, ready to soon begin a new chapter on a new ranch closer to the grandkids. As much as Terry thought he was ready to leave West Texas yet again, West Texas just would not let him go.

Terry was an amazing man, hard worker and a true cowboy. Terry will be missed more than words could ever describe but he leaves behind a legacy that will live on through his kids and grandkids. He will not soon be forgotten.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Pat Honaker, and ex-wife, Cindy Honaker. Terry is survived by his daughter, Samantha Honaker Echtler and husband Jesse of Huntsville, Tanner Honaker and wife Callie of Sabinal, Texas, and Taylor Honaker and wife Kim of Crystal City, Texas; grandchildren Riata Echtler, Kaston Echtler, Harley Honaker, Hadley Honaker, Hollis Honaker, Wyatt Honaker and Dottie Honaker; brothers Glenn Honaker and wife Karen of Evant, Texas, and Rick Honaker and wife Tam of San Angelo, Texas; nieces Sarah Honaker and Jody Baker and nephew Wade Honaker as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.

Honorary pallbearers are Jack Babb, Bud Coffey, Johnny Dulaney, Bob Hayter, David Hoffman, Larry Holt, Jerry Moore, Pat Morris, Johnny Parsons, Jay Smith, Jack Stone, Jon Taylor, Joe Sid Thomas and Neil Woodward.

To those wishing to send a memorial in honor of Terry Honaker, the family has requested memorial donations be made to the West Texas Boys Ranch in San Angelo, Texas or Charity of one’s choice.

The family would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended the Memorial Service on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at the Pecos County Civic Center, Fort Stockton, Texas.

The preceding is a paid obituary.