John Earl Brinlee

John Earl Brinlee, 93, of Midland, TX, passed away Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Midland Memorial Hospital following a bout with double pneumonia. He was born on July 20, 1919 to Elgin John Hiram Brinlee and Lura Autry Brinlee in Konawa, OK. Along with his twin sister Pearl, he was the youngest of 12 children and the last surviving sibling. Earl Brinlee served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was a Sergeant, and served in Italy, France, and North Africa where he supervised as Dietitian in the surgical hospitals. Earl was a loving husband and father and a committed Christian who selflessly dedicated over 30 years of voluntary service to the bus ministry at Kelview Heights Baptist Church. Mr. Brinlee was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Dorothy Brinlee and his daughter, Peggy Brinlee Miller. He is survived by his daughters, Janie Brinlee Nelson and Sonja Brinlee Emerson both of Midland, TX; and by his son, John C. Brinlee of Houston, TX. Also left to cherish his memory are 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Friends may pay their respects to Earl from 6:00p.m to 8:00p.m, Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at Ellis Funeral Home. A funeral service is planned for 10:30a.m., Thursday, August 30, 2012 at Kelview Heights Baptist Church with Pastor Jerry Berry officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be: Chris Emerson, Cory Emerson, Jon David Nelson, Trevor Nelson, Ashley Miller, and Tony Brinlee. Honorary pallbearers will be: Bill Fellsinger, David Wassenberg, Hoyt Millican, Smokey Hurst, Mark Jones, Jerry Dunn, Kirk Dunn, David Butts, Chuck Luckett, and Chuck Collier.