Lonnie's Obituary
You’ve righted the ship, now go rest Big Brother! Go rest…
Lonnie Kirk Ardrey, aged 59 years 1 month 20 days, died Saturday evening, April 20, 2019, in an ATV accident. He was at his treasured ranch near Llano when the accident occurred. Lonnie was born March 24, 1960 to newlyweds Milt & Mary Ellen Ardrey of Kickapoo, Texas. Lonnie became a big brother 21 months later when Danny Paul was born and the young family moved to Slaton, Texas, which became their hometown. The two brothers were joined by a sister, Darla Colleen, in 1968. As a young boy, Lonnie was highly active in all sports available, at all times of the year. He played Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, almost always coached by his dad, and made the All-Star roster every year, even when he “aged up” and played with/against boys 2-3 years older than him. At that time, there were no high school baseball teams in smaller schools, so his main focus switched to football. He had received many trophies from his participation in the Punt, Pass, & Kick program, showing his proclivity to football at an early age. In high school, he lettered in football each year, making All-District and All-Area teams his junior and senior year. He was quick, strong, and could read the opposing teams sets quickly, making any adjustments needed. He was known for his skill at sports, his infectious laugh, his charming smile, and his sparkling eyes. He could get most anything with a glance and a wink, and used those traits often, even to excess at times. His devilishly good looks lead to him becoming known as the local Elvis. His friends from this time in his life were his friends for life. They pulled pranks together, laughed together, cried together, won together, lost together, loved together, hated together, and most of all, partied together. After high school, he was a successful football walk-on at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, but quickly changed his mind. He wanted to play football, not just be on a practice squad, so he transferred to Cisco Junior College in Cisco, Texas as a scholarship player. He continued his success on the field being named Cisco Junior College Football Player of the Year before he graduated with an Associates Degree in General Business in 1980. After college, Lonnie returned to Slaton and began working in the bottled water business. In the very early 80s, actually selling bottled water to people who could get the same product by turning on their faucet seemed a “fool’s errand,” according to his father, but Lonnie could see the potential. Thus began his life’s work. He achieved great success selling water in a bottle, in part due to the ‘Elvis’ effect he had on people. He believed in bottom-up learning and when he was successful in any given level in the business, he made the necessary moves to climb the ladder, eventually opening Hill Country Springs Water Co. in Austin, Texas and becoming an entrepreneur in 1995. He lead his business into being Central Texas’ largest Independent water company, employing hundreds of people over the years, contributing greatly to a growing Austin economy. Lonnie had successfully changed his father’s mind on bottled water. He was an inspiration to his employees and shared his success with those that contributed to his vision. He will be greatly missed by many people in the water business.Concurrent with his professional success, Lonnie was experiencing personal milestones with the births of his children. He became a father with the birth of Milton Kirk and twins Colby Maines and Claire Marie. He treasured his children and took every opportunity to be a hero in their eyes, teaching them many outdoor skills, just as he learned from his parents. Land conservation and responsible hunting were the caveat of his teachings and he even shared these experiences with regular hunting and fishing trips with his nephews. Lonnie re-ignited his love for fishing as his children got older and would share this love freely. He liked lake fishing but was always drawn to the ocean and bay fishing. His lust for fishing and hunting is evident throughout his life in pictures with fish, ducks, pigs, alligator, and deer, always with deer. His love for animals culminated with his development of an exotic game ranch just outside of Llano, Texas, spending as much time as possible at his own “oasis”. He had just stocked his tank with fish, and was looking forward to a fun summer of fishing. Wherever you would find Lonnie, you would usually find his daughter Claire by his side. And the classic rock of BTO, The Doobie Brothers, AC/DC, etc. on in the background. Lonnie had finally shaken loose some of the demons that plagued most of his life and found love, contentment, and acceptance in his world. He died in the happiest of places and with a soothed soul.
Lonnie leaves many friends and family with an empty hole in their heart. His children; Milton, of Austin; Claire, of Austin and Colby, of San Diego. His brother Danny, his wife Tracy, and sons (nephews) Hunter and Tanner, all of Elbert, Colorado. His sister Darla Adams, her husband Steve Adams, of Slaton, Texas, and sons Stetson (nephew) with wife Callie Adams, daughters Lynleigh and Sutton, of Slaton, Texas; Dillon (nephew) with wife Allyson Adams, son Reed, of Pomona, Kansas; and Austin Jack (AJ) (nephew) of Slaton, Texas. Lonnie was greeted by his parents and his loved aunts and uncles who passed before him. Rest In Peace ��
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to your local youth baseball, football, hunting, or fishing programs. If no program available, please donate to any Miniature Schnauzer Rescue Group or The ASCPA.
Blaylock Funeral Home of San Saba
143 Nixon Lane
San Saba, TX 76877
(325) 372-5001
(325) 372-5012
You’ve righted the ship, now go rest Big Brother! Go rest…
Lonnie Kirk Ardrey, aged 59 years 1 month 20 days, died Saturday evening, April 20, 2019, in an ATV accident. He was at his treasured ranch near Llano when the accident occurred. Lonnie was born March 24, 1960 to newlyweds Milt & Mary Ellen Ardrey of Kickapoo, Texas. Lonnie became a big brother 21 months later when Danny Paul was born and the young family moved to Slaton, Texas, which became their hometown. The two brothers were joined by a sister, Darla Colleen, in 1968. As a young boy, Lonnie was highly active in all sports available, at all times of the year. He played Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, almost always coached by his dad, and made the All-Star roster every year, even when he “aged up” and played with/against boys 2-3 years older than him. At that time, there were no high school baseball teams in smaller schools, so his main focus switched to football. He had received many trophies from his participation in the Punt, Pass, & Kick program, showing his proclivity to football at an early age. In high school, he lettered in football each year, making All-District and All-Area teams his junior and senior year. He was quick, strong, and could read the opposing teams sets quickly, making any adjustments needed. He was known for his skill at sports, his infectious laugh, his charming smile, and his sparkling eyes. He could get most anything with a glance and a wink, and used those traits often, even to excess at times. His devilishly good looks lead to him becoming known as the local Elvis. His friends from this time in his life were his friends for life. They pulled pranks together, laughed together, cried together, won together, lost together, loved together, hated together, and most of all, partied together. After high school, he was a successful football walk-on at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, but quickly changed his mind. He wanted to play football, not just be on a practice squad, so he transferred to Cisco Junior College in Cisco, Texas as a scholarship player. He continued his success on the field being named Cisco Junior College Football Player of the Year before he graduated with an Associates Degree in General Business in 1980. After college, Lonnie returned to Slaton and began working in the bottled water business. In the very early 80s, actually selling bottled water to people who could get the same product by turning on their faucet seemed a “fool’s errand,” according to his father, but Lonnie could see the potential. Thus began his life’s work. He achieved great success selling water in a bottle, in part due to the ‘Elvis’ effect he had on people. He believed in bottom-up learning and when he was successful in any given level in the business, he made the necessary moves to climb the ladder, eventually opening Hill Country Springs Water Co. in Austin, Texas and becoming an entrepreneur in 1995. He lead his business into being Central Texas’ largest Independent water company, employing hundreds of people over the years, contributing greatly to a growing Austin economy. Lonnie had successfully changed his father’s mind on bottled water. He was an inspiration to his employees and shared his success with those that contributed to his vision. He will be greatly missed by many people in the water business.Concurrent with his professional success, Lonnie was experiencing personal milestones with the births of his children. He became a father with the birth of Milton Kirk and twins Colby Maines and Claire Marie. He treasured his children and took every opportunity to be a hero in their eyes, teaching them many outdoor skills, just as he learned from his parents. Land conservation and responsible hunting were the caveat of his teachings and he even shared these experiences with regular hunting and fishing trips with his nephews. Lonnie re-ignited his love for fishing as his children got older and would share this love freely. He liked lake fishing but was always drawn to the ocean and bay fishing. His lust for fishing and hunting is evident throughout his life in pictures with fish, ducks, pigs, alligator, and deer, always with deer. His love for animals culminated with his development of an exotic game ranch just outside of Llano, Texas, spending as much time as possible at his own “oasis”. He had just stocked his tank with fish, and was looking forward to a fun summer of fishing. Wherever you would find Lonnie, you would usually find his daughter Claire by his side. And the classic rock of BTO, The Doobie Brothers, AC/DC, etc. on in the background. Lonnie had finally shaken loose some of the demons that plagued most of his life and found love, contentment, and acceptance in his world. He died in the happiest of places and with a soothed soul.
Lonnie leaves many friends and family with an empty hole in their heart. His children; Milton, of Austin; Claire, of Austin and Colby, of San Diego. His brother Danny, his wife Tracy, and sons (nephews) Hunter and Tanner, all of Elbert, Colorado. His sister Darla Adams, her husband Steve Adams, of Slaton, Texas, and sons Stetson (nephew) with wife Callie Adams, daughters Lynleigh and Sutton, of Slaton, Texas; Dillon (nephew) with wife Allyson Adams, son Reed, of Pomona, Kansas; and Austin Jack (AJ) (nephew) of Slaton, Texas. Lonnie was greeted by his parents and his loved aunts and uncles who passed before him. Rest In Peace ��
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to your local youth baseball, football, hunting, or fishing programs. If no program available, please donate to any Miniature Schnauzer Rescue Group or The ASCPA.
Blaylock Funeral Home of San Saba
143 Nixon Lane
San Saba, TX 76877
(325) 372-5001
(325) 372-5012
Lonnie's Obituary
You’ve righted the ship, now go rest Big Brother! Go rest…
Lonnie Kirk Ardrey, aged 59 years 1 month 20 days, died Saturday evening, April 20, 2019, in an ATV accident. He was at his treasured ranch near Llano when the accident occurred. Lonnie was born March 24, 1960 to newlyweds Milt & Mary Ellen Ardrey of Kickapoo, Texas. Lonnie became a big brother 21 months later when Danny Paul was born and the young family moved to Slaton, Texas, which became their hometown. The two brothers were joined by a sister, Darla Colleen, in 1968. As a young boy, Lonnie was highly active in all sports available, at all times of the year. He played Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, almost always coached by his dad, and made the All-Star roster every year, even when he “aged up” and played with/against boys 2-3 years older than him. At that time, there were no high school baseball teams in smaller schools, so his main focus switched to football. He had received many trophies from his participation in the Punt, Pass, & Kick program, showing his proclivity to football at an early age. In high school, he lettered in football each year, making All-District and All-Area teams his junior and senior year. He was quick, strong, and could read the opposing teams sets quickly, making any adjustments needed. He was known for his skill at sports, his infectious laugh, his charming smile, and his sparkling eyes. He could get most anything with a glance and a wink, and used those traits often, even to excess at times. His devilishly good looks lead to him becoming known as the local Elvis. His friends from this time in his life were his friends for life. They pulled pranks together, laughed together, cried together, won together, lost together, loved together, hated together, and most of all, partied together. After high school, he was a successful football walk-on at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, but quickly changed his mind. He wanted to play football, not just be on a practice squad, so he transferred to Cisco Junior College in Cisco, Texas as a scholarship player. He continued his success on the field being named Cisco Junior College Football Player of the Year before he graduated with an Associates Degree in General Business in 1980. After college, Lonnie returned to Slaton and began working in the bottled water business. In the very early 80s, actually selling bottled water to people who could get the same product by turning on their faucet seemed a “fool’s errand,” according to his father, but Lonnie could see the potential. Thus began his life’s work. He achieved great success selling water in a bottle, in part due to the ‘Elvis’ effect he had on people. He believed in bottom-up learning and when he was successful in any given level in the business, he made the necessary moves to climb the ladder, eventually opening Hill Country Springs Water Co. in Austin, Texas and becoming an entrepreneur in 1995. He lead his business into being Central Texas’ largest Independent water company, employing hundreds of people over the years, contributing greatly to a growing Austin economy. Lonnie had successfully changed his father’s mind on bottled water. He was an inspiration to his employees and shared his success with those that contributed to his vision. He will be greatly missed by many people in the water business.Concurrent with his professional success, Lonnie was experiencing personal milestones with the births of his children. He became a father with the birth of Milton Kirk and twins Colby Maines and Claire Marie. He treasured his children and took every opportunity to be a hero in their eyes, teaching them many outdoor skills, just as he learned from his parents. Land conservation and responsible hunting were the caveat of his teachings and he even shared these experiences with regular hunting and fishing trips with his nephews. Lonnie re-ignited his love for fishing as his children got older and would share this love freely. He liked lake fishing but was always drawn to the ocean and bay fishing. His lust for fishing and hunting is evident throughout his life in pictures with fish, ducks, pigs, alligator, and deer, always with deer. His love for animals culminated with his development of an exotic game ranch just outside of Llano, Texas, spending as much time as possible at his own “oasis”. He had just stocked his tank with fish, and was looking forward to a fun summer of fishing. Wherever you would find Lonnie, you would usually find his daughter Claire by his side. And the classic rock of BTO, The Doobie Brothers, AC/DC, etc. on in the background. Lonnie had finally shaken loose some of the demons that plagued most of his life and found love, contentment, and acceptance in his world. He died in the happiest of places and with a soothed soul.
Lonnie leaves many friends and family with an empty hole in their heart. His children; Milton, of Austin; Claire, of Austin and Colby, of San Diego. His brother Danny, his wife Tracy, and sons (nephews) Hunter and Tanner, all of Elbert, Colorado. His sister Darla Adams, her husband Steve Adams, of Slaton, Texas, and sons Stetson (nephew) with wife Callie Adams, daughters Lynleigh and Sutton, of Slaton, Texas; Dillon (nephew) with wife Allyson Adams, son Reed, of Pomona, Kansas; and Austin Jack (AJ) (nephew) of Slaton, Texas. Lonnie was greeted by his parents and his loved aunts and uncles who passed before him. Rest In Peace ��
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to your local youth baseball, football, hunting, or fishing programs. If no program available, please donate to any Miniature Schnauzer Rescue Group or The ASCPA.
Blaylock Funeral Home of San Saba
143 Nixon Lane
San Saba, TX 76877
(325) 372-5001
(325) 372-5012
You’ve righted the ship, now go rest Big Brother! Go rest…
Lonnie Kirk Ardrey, aged 59 years 1 month 20 days, died Saturday evening, April 20, 2019, in an ATV accident. He was at his treasured ranch near Llano when the accident occurred. Lonnie was born March 24, 1960 to newlyweds Milt & Mary Ellen Ardrey of Kickapoo, Texas. Lonnie became a big brother 21 months later when Danny Paul was born and the young family moved to Slaton, Texas, which became their hometown. The two brothers were joined by a sister, Darla Colleen, in 1968. As a young boy, Lonnie was highly active in all sports available, at all times of the year. He played Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, almost always coached by his dad, and made the All-Star roster every year, even when he “aged up” and played with/against boys 2-3 years older than him. At that time, there were no high school baseball teams in smaller schools, so his main focus switched to football. He had received many trophies from his participation in the Punt, Pass, & Kick program, showing his proclivity to football at an early age. In high school, he lettered in football each year, making All-District and All-Area teams his junior and senior year. He was quick, strong, and could read the opposing teams sets quickly, making any adjustments needed. He was known for his skill at sports, his infectious laugh, his charming smile, and his sparkling eyes. He could get most anything with a glance and a wink, and used those traits often, even to excess at times. His devilishly good looks lead to him becoming known as the local Elvis. His friends from this time in his life were his friends for life. They pulled pranks together, laughed together, cried together, won together, lost together, loved together, hated together, and most of all, partied together. After high school, he was a successful football walk-on at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, but quickly changed his mind. He wanted to play football, not just be on a practice squad, so he transferred to Cisco Junior College in Cisco, Texas as a scholarship player. He continued his success on the field being named Cisco Junior College Football Player of the Year before he graduated with an Associates Degree in General Business in 1980. After college, Lonnie returned to Slaton and began working in the bottled water business. In the very early 80s, actually selling bottled water to people who could get the same product by turning on their faucet seemed a “fool’s errand,” according to his father, but Lonnie could see the potential. Thus began his life’s work. He achieved great success selling water in a bottle, in part due to the ‘Elvis’ effect he had on people. He believed in bottom-up learning and when he was successful in any given level in the business, he made the necessary moves to climb the ladder, eventually opening Hill Country Springs Water Co. in Austin, Texas and becoming an entrepreneur in 1995. He lead his business into being Central Texas’ largest Independent water company, employing hundreds of people over the years, contributing greatly to a growing Austin economy. Lonnie had successfully changed his father’s mind on bottled water. He was an inspiration to his employees and shared his success with those that contributed to his vision. He will be greatly missed by many people in the water business.Concurrent with his professional success, Lonnie was experiencing personal milestones with the births of his children. He became a father with the birth of Milton Kirk and twins Colby Maines and Claire Marie. He treasured his children and took every opportunity to be a hero in their eyes, teaching them many outdoor skills, just as he learned from his parents. Land conservation and responsible hunting were the caveat of his teachings and he even shared these experiences with regular hunting and fishing trips with his nephews. Lonnie re-ignited his love for fishing as his children got older and would share this love freely. He liked lake fishing but was always drawn to the ocean and bay fishing. His lust for fishing and hunting is evident throughout his life in pictures with fish, ducks, pigs, alligator, and deer, always with deer. His love for animals culminated with his development of an exotic game ranch just outside of Llano, Texas, spending as much time as possible at his own “oasis”. He had just stocked his tank with fish, and was looking forward to a fun summer of fishing. Wherever you would find Lonnie, you would usually find his daughter Claire by his side. And the classic rock of BTO, The Doobie Brothers, AC/DC, etc. on in the background. Lonnie had finally shaken loose some of the demons that plagued most of his life and found love, contentment, and acceptance in his world. He died in the happiest of places and with a soothed soul.
Lonnie leaves many friends and family with an empty hole in their heart. His children; Milton, of Austin; Claire, of Austin and Colby, of San Diego. His brother Danny, his wife Tracy, and sons (nephews) Hunter and Tanner, all of Elbert, Colorado. His sister Darla Adams, her husband Steve Adams, of Slaton, Texas, and sons Stetson (nephew) with wife Callie Adams, daughters Lynleigh and Sutton, of Slaton, Texas; Dillon (nephew) with wife Allyson Adams, son Reed, of Pomona, Kansas; and Austin Jack (AJ) (nephew) of Slaton, Texas. Lonnie was greeted by his parents and his loved aunts and uncles who passed before him. Rest In Peace ��
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to your local youth baseball, football, hunting, or fishing programs. If no program available, please donate to any Miniature Schnauzer Rescue Group or The ASCPA.
Blaylock Funeral Home of San Saba
143 Nixon Lane
San Saba, TX 76877
(325) 372-5001
(325) 372-5012
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
