Lon Porter Messer

Lon Porter “Lonnie” Messer, age 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 8, 2024. He was born July 14, 1936, in Mathis, TX, to Dan L. and Laura (Porter) Messer. 

He married Carol Ann Kidd of George West on August 17, 1963. They have two daughters, Carolyn Messer (Rodney) Duis and Kathy Messer (Jason) Bryan. Lonnie was a grandfather to four grandchildren and granddaughter-in-law, Collin and Reagan Cass of Canyon, TX, Braxton Cass of Mathis, TX, and Rylee and Caly Blacksher of Garrison, TX. He is preceded in death by his loving wife and both parents.

Lonnie was a 1954 graduate of Mathis High School. Upon high school graduation, Lonnie’s studies at Texas A&I were interrupted by being drafted into the Army in 1956 where he was assigned to a post in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1957 after the death of his father to return and take his father’s place as the operator of the family farm along with assuming his duties as Justice of the Peace in Live Oak County. At the age of 21 Lonnie was known for decades as the youngest Justice of the Peace in Texas. In 1963 he graduated from Texas A&M University-Kingsville ( formerly Texas A&I) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education, He completed his observing and student teaching in Rivera and Mathis. Upon graduation, he was hired to teach Ag in Mathis Texas which is where he taught from 1963 - 1993. In 1973 he received his Master’s of Education degree in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M University-College Station. 

Some of his accomplishments during is teaching career include the following:

• Welcomed the first females into the FFA in the 1970’s
• Served on Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas Board of Directors from 1978 - 1985
• Recognized twice at National FFA Convention for the Building Our American Communities projects

1.         1. Construction of pipe fences around high school, jr high and elementary campuses.
2.         2. Construction of combined Ag Science & Home Economics building & welding shop

• Hosted numerous student teachers
• Accompanied many students across Texas who successfully exhibited livestock at the Texas Majors
• Advisor of Outstanding Young Farmer Chapter 1973-1974, 1974-1975, 1978-1979
• Advisor of the Runner-Up Outstanding Young Farmer Chapter in 1976-1977
• Served on the San Patricio A&H Show Board of Directors from 1963-1993

After retirement from Mathis ISD, Lonnie took on the position as ranch manager for a division of the Armstrong Ranch from 1994-1997. He also served as Fire Chief for the Swinney Switch Volunteer Fire Department from the early 2000s to his retirement in 2019. Lonnie resided in Swinney Switch where he ran a small herd of registered Hereford cattle and continued to have the farmland that has been in the family for 130 years farmed by Scott Mengers, a former Ag student, & Gus Mengers.

Lonnie was a member of the Brush Country Cowboy Church where he was an ordained minister of the Gospel through Pastor Traxler. He spent his time tending cows with his best dog friends Crude & Annie. He was known for his signature toothpick, chew, Dr Pepper, and cap. On Friday mornings he could be found at the Coop in Tynan enjoying Mrs. Setliff’s baked good of the week and Friday evenings at the Taqueria Vallarta with his cousin Cassie for his Mexican food fix.

Pallbearers: John Steelhammer, Bobby Warren, Scott Mengers, Gus Mengers, Tim O Brien, Kim Henning, Collin Cass, Braxton Cass,

Honorary Pallbearers- Cassie Nelson, WA Henderson, Buddy Maedgen, Charlie Neal, Powell Brown, Will Porter, Darvin Dierenger

• In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:
• 
  
• San Patricio & Aransas County A&H Show Scholarship Fund
• In Honor of Lonnie Messer
• PO Box 636
• Sinton, TX 78387
• 
  

or

• Texas A&M University - Kingsville
• Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• In Honor of Lon P. “Lonnie” Messer ‘63
• 700 University Blvd. MSC 156
• Kingsville, TX 78410
• 
  

Viewing will be at 4pm-6pm on Sunday, August 11, 2024 at Winsteads' Funeral Home in Mathis. Funeral Service will be at 10 am on Monday, August 12, 2024 at Winsteads' Funeral Home in Mathis, followed by interment to Tom Mathis Cemetery. 

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads’ Funeral Home. 361-547-3224 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com