Albert Sager Elliott

June 21, 1946 ~ July 16, 2013

Albert Sager Elliott was born in Laredo, Texas, the second son of Donald Sager and Anita Gates Elliott. Grandmother Annie Gates dubbed the baby "Tex" because he was the first grandchild born in Texas. Tex was to forever carry his grandmother's nickname. The family lived in Port Arthur, Texas, but Tex spent his summers "cowboying" at the family ranch in Catarina. There he found his life calling as a rancher.

Tex graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1964. College days were spent in Lubbock at Texas Tech University where he met his wife-to-be, Jan McCaleb of Abilene, Texas. They were married June 11, 1967 at Aldersgate Methodist Church in Abilene. Tex and Jan spent their summer at the Catarina ranch before returning to Texas Tech for the fall semester. Tex graduated in 1971 with a BS in Agriculture Economics and received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

After their army days spent at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the Elliotts moved to the family ranch in Fort Sumner, N M with their two young sons, Caleb and Jason. Tex was active in the Chamber of Commerce, DeBaca County and NM Farm & Livestock Bureau, NM Cattle Growers and the First United Methodist Church from 1971 until 1976. The Tex Elliott Family was named Outstanding Young Farm and Ranch Family of New Mexico in 1975, representing the state in St. Louis, MO at the National Farm Bureau meeting. In August of 1976, following the death of Grandfather A.E. "Lonnie" Gates, Tex moved the family back to Texas. He became foreman of the ranch in Catarina and the family chose to live in Uvalde. Sons Benjamin and Stephen were born in Uvalde.

Tex was able to trade and purchase land between the two ranches and be his own boss of the NM lands. The family returned to Fort Sumner in 1979. Tex was once again active in the community, Farm & Livestock Bureau, NM Cattle Growers and church. Daughters Jessica and Rebecca were born and the family remained in NM until August of 1987 when Tex returned to Texas for the last time. He would spend his time between Catarina, Uvalde and Fort Sumner for the next few years.

As the children's activities increased, so did Tex's travel. It was not unusual for Tex to leave NM on Friday morning and attend one of the boy's football games in Uvalde that night and one of the girl's tennis or golf competitions the next day. Tex and Jan were treasurers of Uvalde Little League for eight years, Tex served as First United Methodist Church Council chairman and a member of the UHS Booster Club. Family, faith, old friends and stewardship of the land and livestock were valued.

Family was always his first priority and each child was aware of his love and expectations, as were their friends. Tex was an honest, no nonsense man with great wit who expected and respected honesty, integrity and hard work from himself and those around him. He was never without an opinion whether it be politics, fence mending, manners, proper grammar or house rules. NM branding and delivery work days with neighbors, trips with childhood friends, annual Texas Tech Homecoming reunions, grandchildren's football, soccer or baseball games, recitals or performances, trips with Jan and anytime he spent with his children were the times he cherished. He was a bigger-than-life character with a heart of gold, he was a patriot, a gentleman and he lived without compromising his beliefs. The last days of his life were spent planning a trip to the ranch in NM followed by a trip to Florida for a family reunion.God had an alternate plan.

Mr. Elliott was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Sager Elliott and Anita Gates Elliott.

Tex is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jan; sons, Caleb Gates Elliott and wife, Kelley of Lubbock, Jason Sager Elliott and wife, Robin of Oak Point, Benjamin Galbraith Elliott and wife, Stefani of Uvalde and Stephen and wife, Weslie of Georgetown; daughters, Jessica Erin Elliott of San Antonio and Rebecca Elliott Ruthardt and husband, Tate of Lubbock; grandchildren, Marshall McCaleb Elliott, Peyton Winn Elliott, James Sager Elliott, Jackson Galbraith Elliott, Mason Ann Elliott, Grant Martin Elliott, Lyle Lynn Elliott and Tatum Elizabeth Ruthardt; brothers, Donald Gates Elliott of San Antonio and David Bruce Elliott of Dallas; nephews, Kevin Barnes, Kelly Barnes and David Elliott and niece, Kimberly Barnes Thomson.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

SATURDAY

JULY 20, 2013

11:00 A.M.

PORTER LORING CHAPEL

Lamentors are Wade Carpenter, Jesse DeLee, Jim Koontz, Norman Moreau, Roland Ramirez and Danny Richardson. Honorary Lamentors are The Texas Tech Cowboys-A-Go-Go. Immediately following the service a luncheon reception will be held at Club Giraud, 707 North St. Mary's.

To those wishing to send a memorial in honor of Tex Elliott, the family asks donations be made to one of the following charities:

Herby Ham Activity Center, P.O. 5488, Uvalde, TX 78802,

CHDI, Inc., 908 S. Evans, Uvalde, TX 78801,

First United Methodist Church, 301 N. High, Uvalde, TX 78801,

The Briscoe Western Art Museum, 210 W. Market St., San Antonio, TX 78205,

The National Ranching Heritage Center, 3121 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79409 or

First United Methodist Church, 719 W. Sumner Avenue, Fort Sumner, NM 88119.