Elroy Simnacher

Elroy D. Simnacher was born January 8, 1934 in Littlefield, Texas to Philip and Delila Downs Simnacher, the second of four children. He graduated from Pep High School and then from Texas Tech University. He married Patricia Verkamp.

Elroy received his commission as a 2nd Lt in the US Air Force through the ROTC program at Texas Tech University. He entered the pilot training program and received his Aeronautical rating of pilot at Reese Air Force Base class of ’57. He then was assigned to teach student pilots at the Instructor School at Goodfellow Air Force Base San Angelo. He was then sent to James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Texas to fly students in the navigator training program in T 33 air crafts as well as the C 119.

Following military service he attended St. Mary’s School of Law graduating in 1964. He practiced law in San Antonio for 2 years and remained in the Air Force reserves for 23 years. In 1967 he moved his family to Lubbock where he worked for the Legal Aid and in private law practices.

In 1968 he was recalled to active duty with the US Air Force 433 Air Lift Wing. He flew troops and cargo to Vietnam, Europe and Africa. He was made Air Craft Commander flying the C 124. He after joked that he could fly 3 Huey helicopters to Vietnam one at a time.

He received the Airman’s Medal, Air Force Accommodation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal, and the Airforce Longevity Liaison Service Medal. He was the Air Force Academy liaison officer for West Texas. He practiced law in Lubbock for 40 years, serving for 25 years as city attorney for the City of Wolfforth. He retired in 2010.

Elroy was actively engaged in the local community, serving on numerous boards of civic and church organizations including President of Lubbock Lions Club, American Business Club, Serra Club, and the Catholic Foundation. He was a member of the Lubbock Bar Association. He was a Eucharistic minister and proclaimer of the Word at Christ the King Cathedral. Elroy enjoyed coaching his children’s sports and involved himself in their other activities. He loved traveling the world with the Air Force and his family as well as hunting, fishing and working at his country place.

Elroy will be remembered for his positive attitude, his generosity, solid integrity and his priorities of faith, family, friends and love of country. Survivors include son Brad of Lubbock, TX; daughter Laurie Lewis of Kingwood, TX; two grandchildren, Rachael and Brandon Lewis of Kingwood, TX; and one sister, Loretta Kuhler of Phoenix, AZ.

The family suggests memorials to Lubbock Lions Club, the Catholic Foundation or Christ the King Cathedral. Services are under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home & Memorial Park with a visitation happening Sunday October 15th at 6 pm with a rosary following at 7 pm at Resthaven’s Abbey Chapel. Funeral services are the next day, October 16th, taking place at 11 am at Christ the King Cathedral. Interment will follow in Pep, Texas.