Obituary: Weldon Farrell Fikes, September 29, 2011

Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines
Feb 2015
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The Observer/Enterprise, Coke County, TX - October 7, 2011

Weldon Farrell Fikes, 93, one of the Greatest Generation, passed from 
this country that he loved into the one he lived for all his life on 
Thursday, September 29, 2011, at the Robert Lee Care Center. The family 
received friends at Wes & Farrell Jean's home, 4801 FM 2034, 
(Water Valley Hwy.) The memorial service was Tuesday, October 4, 2011, 
at 1 pm at the Robert Lee Baptist Church. Visitation with the family 
immediately followed the service in the RLBC fellowship hall. Burial was 
at the Robert Lee Cemetery. Services were under the direction of 
Shaffer Funeral Home.

Born January 28, 1918, on the Fikes home place five miles north of 
Robert Lee, Coke County, Texas, Weldon was the middle child of Will and 
Birdie Markham Fikes. He was raised on the home place along with his 
older brother, Henson, and younger sister, Lorene, all who preceded him 
in death.

Weldon was a student at Robert Lee ISD from 1924 through graduation in 
1936 where he was active in football, basketball, and track. He worked 
for a period of time to be able to attend Texas Tech for a year. However, 
the start of World War II changed the lives of many Americans, 
including his.

He was called into military service on Sunday, December 7, 1941, by the 
Coke County Draft Board, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Three days 
later, Weldon was inducted into the U.S. Army at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He 
received training at Camp Roberts, California, Camp San Luis Obispo, 
California, Camp Young in the Mojave Desert with General George Patton, 
and amphibious training at Fort Ord, California, and the Catalina Islands.
 
In March 1943, the 17th and 32nd Regiments of the 7th Division sailed from 
the San Francisco pier to the Aleutian Islands off the Alaska Peninsula. 
They were issued Artic equipment and given the assignment to take Attu 
Island back from the Japanese. The operation was to have taken three days. 
However, because of a late spring storm, fog, and frostbite, it took three 
weeks to secure the island. The next two years he saw service in various 
areas in Alaska. Weldon was discharged from the U.S. Army at Fort 
Leonard Wood, Missouri, on October 29, 1945, after serving four years.

Weldon and Bryce Stewart were married September 18, 1945, and shared 49 
years together prior to Bryce's death on November 2, 1994. Their lives 
were enriched with the addition of their three daughters, Elaine, 
Farrell Jean, and Marion whom they raised with love, compassion and a 
healthy dose of realistic guidance.

Weldon's life and Robert Lee Baptist Church walked hand in hand most 
of his ninety-three years. In 1933, at the age of thirteen, he became a 
Christian and a member of Robert Lee Baptist Church. There he was 
ordained a deacon on May 17, 1946, and enjoyed serving alongside his 
church family in numerous capacities for many years.
 
Weldon was a good steward of the land in his farming and ranching 
occupation. Hunting was a life-long joy to him. He served 
as County and District Clerk of Coke County from 1950-1955. In 1956, he 
became Coke County's first Auditor, retiring in 1982.
  
On April 4, 1996, Weldon and Virginia Black, long-time acquaintance and 
former Howard County Auditor, were married in San Angelo, Texas. After 
living in Robert Lee for several years, Weldon and Ginny moved to 
San Angelo in 2004. They enjoyed their Baptist Memorial neighbors on 
West Street and their Immanuel Baptist Church family before health issues 
necessitated a move back to Robert Lee in 2009.

He is survived by his wife, Ginny of Robert Lee; three daughters and 
sons-in-law: Elaine and David Miller of Abilene and their 
sons, Nathan Miller of Midland, Jonathan Miller of Boerne; Farrell Jean 
and Wes Washam of Robert Lee and their daughter, Jamie 
(N.J. Unaka) Washam of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Marion and Jimmy Stewart 
of Midland and their children, Deana Baker (Dan) 
Lewis of Lubbock, David (Misty) Baker of Midland, Jay (Wynne) Stewart 
of Midland, Jeff Stewart and Rafael Dalmau of Los Angeles, 
Kelly (Heather) Stewart of Frisco, and Susan Stewart (James) Britt. 
Thirteen great grand-children also survive him. His sixteen-year- 
old grandson, John Mark Washam preceded him in death in 1990.


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