Phil Nikel

Happy Birthday to a good ole hoot owl

Ronnie was always a nice clean cut guy. I believe he was with us at Hot Wells up thru Highlands, don’t believe he ever got in any school trouble. Just a good guy. Last I saw him, he came to the High School reunion held at “Roaring 20’s” out on Blanco Road. Came straight from airport I guess. He came in with a feather in his hat and his gear in a “canvas war bag”. Grinning from ear to ear. I hadn’t seen or heard from him since. My loss. Rest in peace Ronnie, we’ll all be there pretty soon now.

Posted on: May 07, 2022 at 7:01 AM

I’m rather surprised with my shooting friend in Tenn. Up pops someone I apparently had no contact with at High School. I should have spent more time in Nuevo Laredo?

Posted on: Apr 11, 2022 at 1:15 PM

  I've enjoyed being around and with Sam these past several years in New Braunfels.  He was always there to lend a helping hand or a few hrs "just visiting an relaxing" or working on a "project".
  He will certainly be missed by many.

  David and his wife Ellen were just a pleasure to be around.  I became reacquainted with David after shooting with his son Randy for a few years.  Fortunately they shot The Grand American Trap Shoot together in Sparta, Illinois last year.  David was always a helpful guy and I was fortunate to have been around him a bit. Recently David ran the Trainer Hale Shooting Supply Store at National Shooting Complex during the World Skeet Championships, and I really enjoyed out conversations last week.  After closing their store on Fri afternoon, David and his wife were out for dinner with friends, and in good spirits.  After dinner he sat in "his chair" and Ellen discovered he had passed later that evening.

  David was very helpful, well respected and highly thought of.  He will be missed in the Shooting Community.

    Jack, was “old Hot Wells”, his father grew up and went thru High School there with mine.  We went there from 1st thru 9th, then Highlands.  They had the Army Surplus Stores on the South Side.  I mostly remember Jack as being very much a detail perfectionist.  His drafting in Jr Hi, model cars and probably in band.

     We worked at Texas Oil & Gas, at different times.  Oil Companies are like families, might leave - but always remain close.  He was District Mgr in Houston and probably a detail perfectionist.  His District Engineer built a house across the street from me and Exploration Magr built one behind mine in Portland, when they were moved to Corpus District.   They were both solid in the Corpus office - what better tribute to their previous Manager.

     Rest easy Jack, the works done.   

Jack’s Obit is up, in Victoria Advocate 

Posted on: May 14, 2015 at 5:17 AM

We'll be at Greater Houston Gun Club again May 21-25. On McHard Rd near S Post Oak. Would appreciate a break from rains if you have a contact. Come by if you like, lot of improvements last couple years - more planned.

Hey Jack, Shiner is a good place, hot right now though. Any thing I get done outside is before 1:00 these days (better to finish earlier). A son in law is Company Man, completions, works up there often enough. Our place is at Runge, but spend as much time as possible at the hide out in New Braunfels. Home is still on Portland but it's to hot to fish and work stares me in the face to much there.

Shiner, like Maeker's Sausage, Fridays Chicken. They had a steak house on corner downtown (old dept store?). Is it open again? Have not cared much about stoping at brewery since Old Mr Herbert Sims had to leave (health), he knew a lot of our people thru the area from when he had the gas station.

Get down to New Braunfels call. Sammy Burnett is here and good to have a beer with. He had folks in your area also. Uhhh, don't forget the poppy seed kolache's!