Louis Franklin McMenamy of Shallowater, Texas passed into eternity March 5, 2018 at 93. Louis was born in Lubbock County four miles east of Shallowater on December 14, 1924 to Louis Everette McMenamy and Jonnie Allen McMenamy.
He moved to Oklahoma in 1939 where he met Laverna Howard. They attended Oklahoma University and married on January 21, 1945. Louis then joined the Army Air Corp, became a navigator and served as a flight officer on B-29s in the Pacific while stationed on Tinian Island. He was part of the 20th Air Corp, 9th Bomb Group, 313th Wing, 5th Squardron. After returning from the war he graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Oklahoma and moved to New Deal to begin farming in January 1950 through 2002.
While living in New Deal they had Keith, and after moving to the family farm Gayle and Craig were born. Louis and Laverna moved to Shallowater in 1964. He was a rural mail carrier for 20 years; sold Dekalb seed for 45 years and was a Director at Shallowater Bank for 20 years.
During their time in Lubbock County they were members of the New Deal and Shallowater Methodist Churches. Louis was kind-hearted, funny, friendly and loved his family more than anything. He loved farming and banking and retired in his 80s.
In recent years, he enjoyed sharing his war and life stories and spending time with his adult grandchildren and young great grandchildren. His marriage was a true love story for 73 years. Louis was preceded in death by his parents, brother James McMenamy, sister Fannie Lou Sears and daughter Gayle Bickel.
Survivors include Laverna McMenamy, Keith (Wife Glenda & Rob) of Dallas; Craig (Wife Sherry & Scott/Megan, Kyle & Kevin) of Austin; Stan Bickel (Jennifer/Dave, Brian/Megan, Brett & Brad) of Ballinger; four great grandchildren; brother Otis McMenamy; and numerous family and friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 9 at Resthaven Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Services will be held at the Shallowater Methodist Church at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 10.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shallowater Methodist Church Memorial Fund at 509 Texas Ave., Shallowater, TX 79363. Online condolences may be offered at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com.
