Rink Rink Bownds

Rink Bownds was born at Chandler Air Base in Maricopa County, Arizona on January 30, 1953. He started first grade and graduated high school at Sundown, Texas. He married Dorthy Middleton on July 24, 1974 in Levelland where they lived until 2008 when they retired and moved to Burnet, Texas.

Rink was a cowboy and always had a gentle hand with horses and cattle. He worked on ranches in Colorado and Montana before he married and later he ranched in Cochran County, Texas. Rink was a team roper and on March 26, 2010 his horse fell while roping at San Angelo. On June 22, 2010, he passed away from those injuries.

Rink is survived by his wife, Dorthy, and three children, Leanna Perez, married to Gilbert Perez, of Levelland; Ronda Huston, married to Don Huston of Brownfield; and Kip Middleton, married to JoAnn of Levelland and five grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Vic and Cathy Bownds of Levelland and Dusty and Donna Bownds of Sundown and several nieces and nephews.

The joy of Rink’s life was his grandchildren. He promised them an education and the opportunity to be whatever they chose. Colbert Perez is a fourth year medical student at Tech UMC, Jerrico Perez is a third year student at University of Texas in Austin, Randall Middleton graduated from SPC in May, 2010, and is currently a welder at Rink’s Lease Service. Payton Perez and his twin sister, Cheyenne are freshmen at Whiteface High School. Cheyenne is a cheerleader and Payton plays quarterback.

Rink was a man of great vision, very creative and talented. He is owner of three successful oilfield businesses and has created jobs and helped many people in this area. He always said, “the harder I work the luckier I get.” He loved to play guitar and sing, fish, cook and to rope. He loved people and was everybody’s best friend.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Friday, June 25, 2010 First Baptist Church in Levelland. The family will receive visitors from 6 – 8 pm Thursday, June 24, 2010 at the funeral home. Donations may be given to Children’s Hope Home in Levelland or South Plains College Rodeo Scholarship Fund.

To share with the family in celebrating Rink’s life, go to www.georgepricefunerals.com.