Obituary for Harold Lee Erwin
Harold Lee Erwin, 93, of Amarilllo passed away peacefully March 28, 2022 at his home on the farm in Randall County. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, April 1 at First Baptist Church of Canyon with his two sons- in- law, Randy Darnell and Shannon Brooks and grandson, Charley Erwin officiating along with senior pastor Steve Olsen. Private burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, March 31 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon.
Harold was born February 2, 1929 to Elta Alice Rittenhouse and Charley Bryan Erwin on the family farm in Randall County near Claude. He started first grade at age 5 in the Stone School House located ½ mile from his home transitioning to Canyon schools and graduating from Canyon High School in 1945 at the age of 16. He completed his education by graduating from West Texas State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1950. He met Billie Louise Byars while attending WTSC and subsequently they married on August 20, 1948. Harold and Billie followed in his grandfather’s and his father’s work boots by purchasing their own farmland in Randall County where they raised their 3 children, David, Tracie and Lisa.
Harold’s love of farming and dedication to his community was reflected by his service. He served as a 2nd generation Canyon ISD school board member for 9 years, a Randall County Election Precinct Chairman for over a dozen years, a Randall County Farm Service Agency County Committee member , and on the Potter-Randall Appraisal District Ag Advisory Committee. He received the Palo Duro Soil and Water Conservation District ‘s Conservation Farmer of the year in 1978 and the Randall County Top Hand Award in 1982. He was a member of the Panhandle Livestock Association, the WTSU Phoenix Club
Sigma Nu Fraternity and the First Baptist Church of Canyon.
As important as farming was to Harold, he also enjoyed an occasional game of golf and fishing trips with friends. He and Billie also loved creating memories with a very special circle of lifetime friends in their wonderful community of Canyon, but his greatest joy was found in his family. Harold was a quiet, gentle soul. He was a man of great character and someone we all loved and deeply respected. He quietly led his family spiritually and leaves behind a legacy of love, honor and commitment that he inherited and lived out.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Billie Byars Erwin in 2017, a brother Kenneth Erwin, and his parents. Survivors include his son, David Erwin and wife Sue; two daughters, Tracie Brooks and husband Shannon , and Lisa Darnell and husband Randy all of Amarillo; eight grandchildren, Elise Erwin May and husband Greg, and Shane Brooks and wife Brie both of Amarillo.; Tyson Erwin and wife Kendra of Southlake, Charley Erwin and wife Tommie of Prosper, Analisa Brooks Brewer and husband Mike of Ft. Worth, Trey Darnell of Juneau, Alaska, Elizabeth Darnell Haile and husband Matt of Midland and Madelyn Darnell of Houston; fifteen great grandchildren with one on the way; and a sister, Donna Erwin of Amarillo.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to his long-time caregiver, Dana Burkhalter, and others who graciously and lovingly served our father through Goodcare Health Services.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Education Foundation of Canyon ISD, P O Box 881 Canyon, Texas 79015 or a charity of your choice.
Harold was born February 2, 1929 to Elta Alice Rittenhouse and Charley Bryan Erwin on the family farm in Randall County near Claude. He started first grade at age 5 in the Stone School House located ½ mile from his home transitioning to Canyon schools and graduating from Canyon High School in 1945 at the age of 16. He completed his education by graduating from West Texas State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics in 1950. He met Billie Louise Byars while attending WTSC and subsequently they married on August 20, 1948. Harold and Billie followed in his grandfather’s and his father’s work boots by purchasing their own farmland in Randall County where they raised their 3 children, David, Tracie and Lisa.
Harold’s love of farming and dedication to his community was reflected by his service. He served as a 2nd generation Canyon ISD school board member for 9 years, a Randall County Election Precinct Chairman for over a dozen years, a Randall County Farm Service Agency County Committee member , and on the Potter-Randall Appraisal District Ag Advisory Committee. He received the Palo Duro Soil and Water Conservation District ‘s Conservation Farmer of the year in 1978 and the Randall County Top Hand Award in 1982. He was a member of the Panhandle Livestock Association, the WTSU Phoenix Club
Sigma Nu Fraternity and the First Baptist Church of Canyon.
As important as farming was to Harold, he also enjoyed an occasional game of golf and fishing trips with friends. He and Billie also loved creating memories with a very special circle of lifetime friends in their wonderful community of Canyon, but his greatest joy was found in his family. Harold was a quiet, gentle soul. He was a man of great character and someone we all loved and deeply respected. He quietly led his family spiritually and leaves behind a legacy of love, honor and commitment that he inherited and lived out.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Billie Byars Erwin in 2017, a brother Kenneth Erwin, and his parents. Survivors include his son, David Erwin and wife Sue; two daughters, Tracie Brooks and husband Shannon , and Lisa Darnell and husband Randy all of Amarillo; eight grandchildren, Elise Erwin May and husband Greg, and Shane Brooks and wife Brie both of Amarillo.; Tyson Erwin and wife Kendra of Southlake, Charley Erwin and wife Tommie of Prosper, Analisa Brooks Brewer and husband Mike of Ft. Worth, Trey Darnell of Juneau, Alaska, Elizabeth Darnell Haile and husband Matt of Midland and Madelyn Darnell of Houston; fifteen great grandchildren with one on the way; and a sister, Donna Erwin of Amarillo.
The family would like to extend a very special thank you to his long-time caregiver, Dana Burkhalter, and others who graciously and lovingly served our father through Goodcare Health Services.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the Education Foundation of Canyon ISD, P O Box 881 Canyon, Texas 79015 or a charity of your choice.