Gilbert Manly Spring

Funeral services for Gilbert Manly Spring, Sr., 97, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Horace Fletcher and Reverend Lindsey Nimmons officiating. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at the Burketown Family Cemetery in Trinity County.

Gilbert passed peacefully at his home Sunday, December 23, 2012. Reared on a cotton farm in neighboring Trinity County, Gilbert was born October 1, 1915, the first of seven children born to Wayne Milledge Spring and Evie Delle (Odom) Spring. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Wayne Milledge Spring, Jr. and Gilmer Spring, and one sister, Glenora Spring.

Gilbert was a graduate of Lufkin High School and the University of Texas at Austin. He served three terms in the Texas Legislature before receiving his law degree and was a prominent attorney in Lufkin for more than fifty years. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he was a navigator during World War II, serving in the anti-submarine warfare division. When the war ended, he remained in the Air Force Reserve, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Esther Spring of Lufkin; six children, Nadine Nickeson and husband Rob of Safety Harbor, Florida, Charnita Justiss and husband Ken of Midlothian, Texas, Esther Turner and husband Kent of Garland, Texas, Glenora Patterson and husband Edward of Amarillo, Texas, Gretchen Hoffman and husband Marty of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Gilbert Spring Jr. of Austin; Texas; ten grandchildren, Matthew Nickeson and wife Melissa of Hillsboro, Oregon, Stephen Nickeson of Safety Harbor, Florida, Gavin Justiss of Austin, Texas, Kurt Turner of Austin, Texas, Keri Laney and husband Ryan of Allen, Texas, Bryan Patterson of New York, New York, Alicia Patterson of Charleston, South Carolina, Monica Patterson of Amarillo, Texas, Chelsea Hoffman of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Kiersten Hoffman of Grand Prairie, Texas; two brothers, Gary Spring and wife Greta of Houston, Texas, and Garner Spring and wife Mary Lee of Apple Springs, Texas; one sister, Gerry Guinell Chichester of Coleville, California; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Kurt Turner, Bryan Patterson, Gavin Justiss, Stephen Nickeson, Ryan Laney, Richard Spring and Gary Spring, Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Burketown Cemetery Association, 1711 Odom Road, Apple Springs, Texas 75926, Apple Springs FFA, P.O. Box 125, Apple Springs, Texas 75926 or Apple Springs Baptist Church, P.O. Box 22, Apple Springs, Texas 75926.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.