George Schlemeyer Sr

George Louis Schlemeyer, Sr. passed away on Saturday, August 13, 2022 after a trip to his favorite fishing hole and before he planned to go to the horse races - two of the many activities he enjoyed while living in Ruidoso, NM.

Born on September 10, 1934 to Robert Louis "Louie" Schlemeyer and Alda Mae Weaver Schlemeyer in Wink, TX, he grew up in Odessa, TX and graduated from Odessa High School. During his time at Odessa High, George lettered in baseball, played baritone in the band, was the sports editor of the OHS annual, was a charter member and the first President of the Key Club (Junior Kiwanis), a member of Order of DeMolay (Junior Masonic), a student council member and member of the Esquire Club. He attended Odessa College on a baseball scholarship and was president of Phi Delta Psi and president of the Interclub Council.

George started his oil field career tailing rods on his father's well service unit at the age of twelve rising to tool pusher. He later owned and operated Petroleum Pump and Transport Service and Production Rentals Incorporated in Odessa, Texas. He moved his family to Ohio where he was District Superintendent for Pool Company. He returned to Odessa to form LESGO Rental Tools until he started a new career in real estate, earned his GRI designation and owned Rozanne Realty. George served as President of the Odessa Board of Realtors and was honored as Realtor of the Year in 1986.

George married Martha Ann Williamson on January 16, 1955 and they were blessed with four children: George "Slay" Louis, Jr., Michael Shane, David Shawn and Shelley Dawn. His second marriage in 1981 to Gene Ann Robbins ended in 2010, although they both shared a love for Texas A&M, remained good friends and enjoyed traveling together.

Always looking for ways to serve the community, George was a long-standing member of the Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang, a non-profit organization of community leaders whose mission is to spread the good word of Odessa and Texas through serving barbecue. George travelled as a goodwill ambassador to Norway, Scotland and countless states throughout the US serving up BBQ and goodwill. He was honored with the Wagon Master Award in 1975.

George enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf and attending his grandchildren's athletic events. He usually started his day fishing at either Grindstone or Alto Lake. The weekly fishing report on KRUI radio was hosted by George "The Troutman" Schlemeyer! His children and grandchildren attended Prude Ranch near Fort Davis, TX. He loved to make the long drive to West Texas with his beloved dachshund, Peanuts, to watch his grandkids perform in the rodeo that marked the end of their summer camp.

George is survived by his sister, Mary Jones of Albuquerque, NM, aunt Frieda Colfelt of Tyler, TX and ex-wife Gene Ann Robbins of Bryan, TX; his four children Slay Schlemeyer of Austin, TX, Shane Schlemeyer of Houston, TX, Shawn Schlemeyer of Arlington, TX and Shelley Rice of Houston, TX; plus 13 grandchildren: Catherine Conner, Adam Conner, Nathan Conner, Clara Schlemeyer, Stuart Schlemeyer, Chase Schlemeyer, Destiny Simonich, Kristen Hagerman, Loren Alexander, Jake Rice, John Trevino, Nathan Rice, Cidette Rice; 6 great-grandchildren and many other extended family members, fishing buddies and good friends. Special thanks to the Kemper and Robbins families for their care, support and generosity through the years

Condolences may be offered to the family online at https://www.lagronefuneralchapels.com. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in George's memory to the Humane Society of Lincoln County, P.O. Box 2832, Ruidoso, New Mexico 88355 or you may donate online at https://hslcnm.org/.