Bobby Ray Airhart

Bobby Ray Airhart, 91, gently departed in the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 15, 2023, joining his wife, Dolly, in the arms of Jesus. He was surrendered in love by his children and grandchildren and comforted by the entire care team at Hendrick Hospice Care Center in Abilene.

The youngest of three sons, Bobby was born December 16, 1931, to E.C. and Velma Airhart on the family farm near Stanton, Texas. He attended a country school, where he grew smitten with a sweet girl from a neighboring farm, Dolly Hollandsworth.

Following their graduation from Flower Grove High School, Dolly pursued a professional education at Draughon’s Business College in Abilene. Bobby moved to Lubbock to earn a degree in agriculture from Texas Technological College. They married in 1950 on Christmas Eve in Lubbock and returned to Martin County, where Bobby farmed and taught at Knott High School. Rain, however, was scarce, and after two years of drought Bobby and Dolly moved to an irrigated farm near Muleshoe.

Because of his familiarity with the local farming community, Bobby was recruited to serve as a loan officer with the Federal Housing Administration. In 1956, he joined Muleshoe State Bank as a vice president and loan officer. His experiences in Muleshoe led to a lifelong commitment to community banking. Bobby later served as president of the First National Bank in Sundown, Texas, and vice president of Southwest State Bank in Brownwood, Texas. In 1970, he and Dolly purchased The Security State Bank in Wingate. They invested the next 50 years of their lives in the Winters and Wingate communities.

Among the many gifts Bobby gave to his family, he allowed each of his grandchildren to earn their first paychecks at the bank. The work was not always glamorous, as the grandchildren were called upon to mow, clean the buildings, or pressure wash the exterior of the building. However, each learned the importance of service to community and have pursued careers in public service or helping professions.

Following Dolly’s death in 2021, Bobby moved to an apartment at Wesley Court in Abilene, where he became an orchid enthusiast. He delighted in visits from his great-grandchildren, Elliott and Owen Airhart, and Birdie, Iris, and Eden Lesch. Always a little mischievous, Paw Paw thought it was great fun to teach the children to toot the horn on his mobility scooter.

Bobby is survived by his children, Marci and Mike McDonald, and Paul and Becky Airhart; grandchildren, Leslie McDonald, Casey McDonald and Justin Martz, Jared and Lindsey Airhart, Kinsey Airhart and Donnie Sims, and Kellyn and Caleb Lesch; and five (soon-to-be six!) great-grandchildren. He also treasured the daily companionship of his long-time caregiver, Rosie Tamez.

There will be a time of visitation on Friday, August 18, 2023, at Lange Funeral Home from 5:00-7:30 p.m. Memorial Services will be held Saturday, August 19, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church of Winters at 10:30 a.m., with Dale Morrison officiating.

Memorial services are provided by Lange Funeral Home of Ballinger, Texas.

Guests may register online at Ballingerfuneralhome.com.