Wendell Tooley

The angels escorted Wendell Miller Tooley, age 88, to his eternal home Sunday, October 11. A memorial service, celebrating his life, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 11 am at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Amarillo with Keith Tooley, pastor of The Church at Canyon Creek, and Steve Stevens, pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church, officiating. He was born on Feb. 28, 1927 in Shannon, TX and he graduated from Kress High School in 1944. He married the former Mary Tom Kirk in 1949, and they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in May of this year. He served in the US Army Mountain Ski Troops at the end of World War II. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from McMurry University, and a master's in journalism from the University of Missouri in 1950. He established the School of Advertising at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Wendell made his mark in the newspaper and printing business for over 50 years. He owned and published newspapers in Floydada, Ralls, Crosbyton, Slaton, Canyon, Tahoka, Lockney, Tulia and Littlefield. He won numerous journalism awards, and he was named to the Panhandle Press Association Hall of Fame and was recognized for "50 Years of Service to Newspapers" by the Texas Press Association. He was a pioneer in the offset printing industry and owned printing plants in Hereford, Canyon, Slaton and Floydada. One of his greatest loves was serving on the board of trustees of McMurry University for almost 40 years, where he was honored as a Distinguished Alumni in 2005. Wendell was a civic leader in the communities he resided, serving on numerous committees and boards. He was very devoted to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and served in many Methodist churches, including Floydada, Tulia and Plainview. He served on the Epiphany committee of two Methodist bishops and served several years on the board of the United Methodist Reporter in Dallas. Wendell enjoyed working hard, playing hard, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed travelling - all over the world and to every state in the nation, tennis, golf and fishing. He loved to play guitar and sing at church, RV camps, nursing homes - everywhere there was a gig. Survivors include wife Mary Tom of Amarillo; daughters Wendy Bridenstine and husband Kent of Canyon, and Karla Hutchinson of Abilene; sons Brad Tooley and wife Kristie of Canyon, and Keith Tooley and wife Kay of Cedar Park; six grandchildren - Shanna Jones and husband Ty of Lubbock, Kris Tooley and wife Brooke of Waco, Brooks Hutchinson of Houston, Hunter Hutchinson of Lubbock, Sarah Tooley of Boston, MA, and Megan Dzialo and husband Grayson of Austin; and eight great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorial donations to McMurry University, 1 McMurry University, Box 938, Abilene, TX 79697, Pro Literacy, 104 Marcellus St., Syracuse, NY 13204, or to Ceta Canyon Camp and Retreat Center, 37201 FM 1721, Happy, Texas 79042.