LARRY BENSON ERWIN, 64, of Ranger, TX, went to
his Heavenly home on Jan. 14, 2015.
Larry was born on Sept. 13, 1950 in Portales, NM
to Fred Norris and Wanda Lee (Sheets) Erwin. He
married Wendy Sommers in Nov. of 1975 in Necessity,
TX.
Larry attended Ranger High School but was a 1969
graduate of Santa Monica High School in Santa
Monica, CA. Upon graduation, he served in the
military in the 82nd Airborne Division of the
U.S. Army from 1970-1972. After his service, he
returned to California where he worked as a
machinist and learned skills that he took with
him to Ranger, TX in 1974 where he worked with
his father in the family business, F&W Industries.
For over 20 years he crafted parts for major
aerospace defense contractors. Larry loved his
work and took great pride in it.
Larry had a love of the outdoors and adventure,
taking up surfing, skiing, cycling and when he
wasn’t on land or water, he found adventure in
the sky where he learned to fly making several
solo flights.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, Fred
Erwin.
At the time of his death, he was survived by his
wife of 39 years, Wendy Erwin of Ranger; daughters,
Lauren Hernandez (RHS-1997) and husband Jason of
Olden, TX and Amy Newcomer (RHS-2002) and husband
William of Fort Worth, TX; his mother, Wanda Erwin
of Ranger; a brother, Russell Erwin of Troncones,
Mexico; a sister, Kelly Hill and husband David of
Ranger; an aunt Pauline Scott of Flower Mound, TX;
an uncle Harry Sheets and wife Myna of Farewell,
TX; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and other
loved ones. He is also survived by the lights of
his life, his three grandchildren: Bailey Hernandez,
Hudson Hernandez, and William “Grant” Newcomer.
FATHER: FRED ERWIN, 76, of Ranger, TX passed away
on Dec. 9, 2005, with burial at Evergreen Cemetery
in Ranger, TX.
Mr. Erwin was born on Oct. 10, 1929 in Portales,
NM, to Fred Benson & Fannie Isabel Norris Erwin.
He married Wanda Sheets in Sept. of 1949, in
Farwell, TX. They lived in several different areas
before moving to Ranger in 1975 where he founded
F & W Industries. For over 30 years his machine shop
manufactured parts for major aerospace defense contractors.
Fred loved his work and over the years he taught many
young men and women the art of being a machinist. He
was a member of the Church of Christ.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister,
Vanell Young.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Wanda Erwin of
Ranger; sons, Larry Erwin (RHS-1969) and wife Wendy of
Ranger and Russell Erwin and wife Kristi of Costa Mesa,
CA; a daughter, Kelly Hill and husband David of Ranger;
four grandchildren, Laura Hernandez (RHS-1997) & husband
Jason, Amy Erwin (RHS-2002), T.K. Erwin and Tyler Erwin;
one great-grandchild, Bailey Hernandez & several nieces
and nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews.
MOTHER: WANDA SHEETS ERWIN passed away on April 30,
2022, with interment of ashes at Evergreen Cemetery in
Ranger, TX.
Wanda was born Aug. 27, 1931 in Clovis, NM to Eugene (Ted)
& Virginia Sheets. She married Fred Erwin in Farwell, TX
in Aug. of 1949. Wanda raised her three children in Santa
Monica, CA. She loved sunbathing on the beach and loving
and caring for her family and neighbors. She was “Mom of
the Block” making countless sandwiches for her kids and
their friends. She then made her life in Ranger, TX and
worked alongside her husband. They enjoyed 57 years of
marriage.
Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Erwin;
a son, Larry Erwin; and brother, Harry Sheets.
Wanda leaves behind many beloved friends & family including
her son, Russell Erwin of Troncones, Mexico; daughter and
son-in-law, Kelly and David Hill of Ranger; daughter-in-law,
Wendy Erwin of Ranger; sister, Pauline Scott of Flower Mound,
TX; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.