Obituary: Marvin J. Lee Ensor, June 29, 2013

Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines
June 2015
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The Observer/Enterprise, Coke County, TX - July 5, 2013

Marvin J. Lee Ensor, 78, died Saturday, June 29, 2013, at his residence 
in Christoval, Texas. J. Lee was formerly from Bronte,Texas, where he 
lived most of his life. Memorial service was held at 10 am Monday, 
July 1, at Central Baptist Church in Bronte. Graveside service followed 
in Fairview Cemetery.

J. Lee was born on November 5, 1934, to Hollis and Nathalie (Stephenson) 
Ensor. He grew up in Bronte and was a member of Central Baptist Church. 
He graduated from Bronte High School in 1953. J. Lee married Delma Qualls 
of Abilene on May 27, 1956. They celebrated their 57th wedding 
anniversary in May.

As a young man, J. Lee worked as a ranch foreman, gas plant operator and 
other service or maintenance jobs. He began a career in law enforcement 
in 1973, as a deputy sheriff in Coke County. He was appointed and then 
elected as Coke County Sheriff. He served as sheriff from 1974 to 1980.
J. Lee continued to serve in law enforcement until his retirement in 1988.

J. Lee served many years on the Coke County Junior Livestock Show board 
and as an officer of the Coke County Rodeo Association and Roping Club. 
He was recognized by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in 1971, for 
his work as a 4-H volunteer in Coke County. He moved to Jerico Springs, 
Missouri, in 1993. They lived there for 11 years and enjoyed living 
on a small farm.
 
Raising livestock, riding horses and hunting with a good hound dog were 
some of J. Lee's passions. Not only did he enjoy these things, he was 
also very competitive. J. Lee started a flock of registered Rambouillet 
sheep as an FFA project in high school and competed at local and major 
livestock shows. Upon graduation from high school, he continued to raise 
and exhibit his sheep across the state. J. Lee won many awards, 
including the Richardson and Dameron trophies at the San Angelo Stock 
Show. His children and grandchildren also competed in livestock shows 
across Texas and he was proud of their accomplishments. Horses were 
special to J. Lee and he continued to enjoy horseback riding as long as 
his health allowed. While living in Bronte, he worked with other 
community leaders to make sure local horse events and opportunities 
were available for interested Coke County adults and youth. He 
especially enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren and other 
special young people in his life participate in trail 
rides, rodeos and other events.

J. Lee was an avid hunter and loved to train and hunt his hound dogs. 
He won numerous awards with the dogs he owned during the time he was 
in Missouri. He was featured on the front cover of The Hunters Horn, 
a national magazine, in 2001. J. Lee loved people and enjoyed spending 
time with family and friends. He was the family member that made 
sure a family reunion happened every year. J. Lee came from a simple 
country life and knew what was truly important 
in life - faith, family and friends. He had an enormous influence 
on many lives and will be greatly missed.

J. Lee was preceded in death by his parents; and one son, Billy Wayne 
Ensor.
 
He is survived by his loving wife; four children, Marvin Ensor and wife 
Karen of San Angelo, Kathy Griffin and husband John of Hockley, 
Tom Ensor and wife Dee of San Angelo and Waylan Ensor and wife 
Michelle of San Angelo;
seven grandchildren, Emily (Ensor) Morris and her husband, Cade, of 
Salado, Kaley (Ensor) Barrett and husband Casey of San Angelo, 
Whitney Ensor of Fort Worth, Lee Clark of Hockley, Kate Clark of 
Hockley, John Saunders of San Angelo, Jayton Ensor of San Angelo, 
Jaycee Ensor of San Angelo; 
and four great-grandchildren, Macy and Carter Morris and
Rylee and Preslee Barrett. Other surviving family includes his brother, 
Jesse Ensor of Shep; and sister Bonnie Perry of Winters.

Pallbearers will be Dennie Braswell, Eddie Sweeten, Wendell Lee, Alonzo 
Robbins, Turner Lee and John Paul McGuire.
 
The family wished to give a special thanks to Dr. Denver Marsh of 
San Angelo for many years of great care.

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