Monte Lynn McAnear's Obituary
Monte Lynn McAnear, 71, of Amarillo, Texas, left his earthly family and friends on Friday, November 15, to be with Jesus and his family and friends who have gone before him. While he leaves behind a huge hole in the hearts of those who knew him, we take comfort in knowing he is still very much a part of our lives and is enjoying the biggest reunion in Heaven.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 22, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Robertson Funeral Home, 212 South Sully Street, Clarendon, Texas. The funeral service will take place at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 23, at Oasis Southwest Baptist Church, 8201 Canyon Drive, Amarillo, Texas, 79110 with Brother Dallas Stringer officiating. Burial will follow in Citizens Cemetery in Clarendon.
Monte was born May 24, 1953, in Memphis, Texas, to James and Juanita McAnear. He loved being the youngest of the family to his siblings Vicki, James and David and tagging along whenever he could. He learned from an early age the importance of family, hard work, right from wrong and good food, but also the importance of laughter, orneriness, and good practical jokes.
Growing up in Brice, they eventually moved to Clarendon, where he graduated from Clarendon High School in 1971, leaving quite an impression on his teachers and classmates. He took a few classes at Clarendon College before venturing into farming full-time.
In 1983, because farming became unsustainable, he made the tough decision to go to work at Pantex “just for a few years.” As a member of the Security Guard Force, he formed many life-long friendships, honed his negotiating skills on the PGU Negotiation Team, and began greeting his co-workers with a boisterous “Welcome to Pantex.” While he was a guard, he obtained his undergraduate degree in Business Management from Wayland Baptist University. In the latter part of his career he became a Material Handler, a job he truly loved. This endeavor allowed him to drive a forklift and become the President of the International Union of Operating Engineers. His last hitch at Pantex was served as being the President of the Metal Trades Council, where he presided over ten of the eleven labor unions at Pantex. Much to his work family’s dismay, in September of 2019, as his count-down to retirement was finally over, he received his well-earned image of Pantex in the rearview mirror. Alas, he was able to sleep in, make his own schedule and visit his farm and cows daily. Above all, he was finally able to attend every one of his kids’, grandkids’, and great grandkid’s functions – he had waited a long time for this.
Pantex is also the place where he met Judy, a union that began as very good friends. Monte worked hard and continued in his stubbornness until Judy would give in and become his wife in March of 2010. As they enjoyed life together, Monte would often share with Judy that he couldn’t believe he lived to be this old and when you hear some of the antics and challenges he faced in his life, you see how that might be a surprise to him. He survived many near-death experiences, among them a rattlesnake bite as a child, and he had the most amazing stories to share from it.
Judy and Monte adventured and loved not only each other, but their many children, grandchildren and friends. Laughter was at the very heart of this union and with that came many lively meals and occasions. More than that, they loved each other fiercely and served as a great example.
He was so proud of his kids and shared a special bond with each of them, even if it was a large family, love was at the heart of everything he did for each of them. Being a part of each of their lives kept him busy (and working!), but he loved traveling to see those who weren’t close to home and enjoyed participating in any activities of his kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren. He was blessed to have an extended family that he loved dearly.
Monte belonged to Lifeway Fellowship Church, where he loved his church family and often invited others to join him for services. He was honored to pray for others and to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. His love of God and happiness to share, built a bright light that could not be dimmed. He also never met a stranger, which was realized as he always knew someone when he was out and about, and that reach often stretched across the state lines. He would also happily attend any event at which food was present, even more so if there was chicken fried steak.
Besides Jesus, his family and friends, Monte loved farming, John Deere, being frustrated at the Dallas Cowboys, cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and really any good ball game. He enjoyed attending sporting events live when he could. He loved soaking up everything he could about a subject. And, of course, he loved a good joke and keeping Facebook busy by sharing everything with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Judy, and children, Ginger (Lance) Robinson, Kevin (Stormy) McAnear, Audra Ruttman, Caroline McAnear, Ethan (Rheana) McAnear, Darcy (Scott Leonard) Cates, Courtney (Beaux Corley), and Jaimie (Mike) Davila.
He was a proud Pepaw to Brittney McAnear, Kelsey McAnear, Keira Coggins, Brandon Coggins, Gunnar Blacksher, Tandy (Jordan) Herndon, Addeline Whittington, Kodie Crawford, Emilie Tiedeman, Veronica Boone and Alora Taylor, Bray and Croix Jones, Reef and Roam Corley, and his great-grandchildren, Kensleigh Riggs, Blaze Herndon, Will Crawford, and Jackson Cline.
He is also survived by his two older brothers, James McAnear and wife, Pat, and David McAnear and wife, Jaci, as well as five nieces, three nephews and countless other family members.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Juanita McAnear, his sisters, Lawanda Sue and Vicki Ann Wilhite, and his second wife, Connee McAnear.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to Lifeway Fellowship Church in Amarillo or to Donley or Hall County 4-H.
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