SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 16
In Memory
of
Montgomery Blackwell Noelke, Jr.
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
citizens of Mertzon in mourning the loss of Montgomery Blackwell
"Monte" Noelke, Jr., who died December 6, 2012, at the age of 84; and
WHEREAS, A rancher and writer known for his droll West
Texas wit, Mr. Noelke was a classic cowboy poet; for more than
five decades, his "Shortgrass Country" columns in the San
Angelo-based Livestock Weekly chronicled life on his Irion
County ranch and attracted a devoted flock of readers throughout
the western United States; and
WHEREAS, A fourth-generation rancher, he was born on June
17, 1928, in San Angelo; he attended The University of Texas at
Austin and returned to his childhood home of Mertzon, where he
settled with his late wife, Margaret, and together they raised
eight children; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Noelke revered nature and literature equally,
and friends recall that he was as moved by the birth of a new calf
as by the recital of an Irish poem; he spearheaded an expansion of
the Mertzon Library, and, as president of the Mertzon School
Board, he regularly invited visiting poets to expand the horizons
of young writers in the area; and
WHEREAS, His own horizons were broadened by travel, which
Mr. Noelke enjoyed sharing with his companion of the past 23
years, the poet cowgirl Cheryl Clayton; the couple posted letters
home to Texas from places as far-flung as Africa, Indonesia, and
the Galapagos Islands; and
WHEREAS, Roundly admired by his community, Mr. Noelke was a
regional character, fond of wearing bow ties and delivering
home-cooked gourmet meals to people in need; his friends recall
that he once received a horse in lieu of payment for his
writing; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Noelke was both a world traveler and a folksy
iconoclast; he was a community servant, a family man, and a
Texas-size character who will be profoundly missed; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved
family of Montgomery Blackwell Noelke, Jr.; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy
from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this
day, it do so in memory of Monte Noelke.
Watson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 23, 2013, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate