Robert Henlee Northington

Bob was born on October 19, 1928 in Ballinger, Texas, to Rena Faye Butler and Kinchen Volentine Northington, both early days residents of Ballinger.

Bob graduated from Ballinger High School in 1946. He was a very proud Ballinger Bearcat and kept up with many of his classmates over the years. He went on to study at The University of Texas at Austin, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, then Texas A&M University. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry/Economics with honors from Texas Technological College in Lubbock, Texas.

Mr. Northington was a proud Eagle Scout, fourth-generation Texan, ninth-generation American and veteran of World War II. He served in Seoul, Korea, as a U.S. Army Sergeant. After the war, he married the love of his life, Sara Carolyn Bigby (also from Ballinger, Texas). Bob and Carolyn had three beautiful children: Diana Lynn, Robert Charles and John Wesley Bigby. In 1967, Bob and Carolyn moved the family to Midland so that Bob could pursue his career in the oil and gas industry as a Certified Professional Landman. He worked for Phillips Petroleum Company, Mesa Petroleum Company, Mid-America Petroleum Company and as an Independent Landman throughout North America. He also served as a national officer of the American Association of Petroleum Landmen. Later in his career, he worked as a Municipal Bond Consultant for the Loews Corporation in New York.

Mr. Northington served on the Midland and Ballinger School Boards and was the Democratic Nominee for State Representative from Midland in 1970. He was an Ordained Elder at the First Presbyterian Churches in Midland and Ballinger.

After the kids left their nest, Bob and Carolyn moved to Fort Worth, Texas, then eventually settled in Marble Falls, Texas, to enjoy their golden years. Bob served as an elected Member of The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature, representing Burnet, Blanco & Llano Counties while also serving as the Mayor of Meadowlakes, their beloved lakefront community. Sadly, Carolyn lost her battle to cancer in 2002 and their golden years together were cut far too short.

Bob was lucky to find love twice in his life. He married fellow Ballinger Bearcat Charlotte Miller Flynt. They enjoyed many good years together in Fairview and Dallas, Texas, before her passing in 2018. Mr. Northington then moved to Austin to be near family and lived his remaining years at Belmont Village in Westlake, Texas.

Mr. Northington was preceded in death by his parents, Rena and Kinchen Northington; his brother, Kinchen Volentine Northington Jr.; his wife of 49 years, Sara Carolyn Bigby Northington; and wife Charlotte Miller Flynt Northington.

Bob is survived by his sister, Martha Butler Northington, of Austin, Texas; his three children: Diana Northington Samponaro and her husband Peter of Greenwich, Connecticut; Charlie Northington and his wife Dina of Austin, Texas; John Northington and his wife Pamela of Washington, D.C. He is survived by his 11 beloved grandchildren: Caroline Samponaro, Amanda Samponaro Runne, Peter Samponaro Jr., Nichola Samponaro, Chase Northington, Alexandra Northington, Carter Northington, Patricia Northington, John Northington Jr., Henry Northington and Virginia Northington. Bob is also survived by loving family members Elizabeth Gallo Baskin, Michele Denise Black and six beautiful great-grandchildren.

Bob’s family would like him to be remembered for his love of and devotion to his family and country as well as for his wonderful smile. He was an avid lover of history, current events, sports, Whataburger and ice cream! They would like to thank his Belmont Village Family, including the dedicated staff and the loving friends he made there.

If you would like to honor Bob during these trying times, please consider donating to your favorite charitable organization in support of efforts to fight the coronavirus pandemic.