W. B. "Sonny" Mahan
Lufkin, TX
Funeral services for W. B. "Sonny" Mahan, 75, of Lufkin will be held Monday, August 21, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Christ Congregational Church with The Reverend Randall K. Green and Mr. M. Todd Stracener officiating. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, August 22, 2017 in the Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi.
W.B "Sonny" Mahan passed away peacefully early in the morning of August 17, 2017 at the age of 75. Sonny was born to A.B. and Valentina Mahan on June 29, 1942. Sonny grew up in Corpus Christi and graduated from W.B. Ray High School in 1960. In 1964, he earned a BBA from Texas A&I University located in Kingsville, Texas.
From an early age, Sonny enjoyed being in the outdoors where he learned to hunt and fish. He became very accomplished at both sports. Sonny also became a very good golfer after he married Martha Mahan who was one of the finest women golfer's the state of Texas has ever produced.
It was Sonny's love of fishing that brought him and his family to Lufkin, Texas in 1976. He became the tournament director for the American Angler Pro Bass Tour. Later, he owned and operated Old Town Marine Center in Nacogdoches, Texas. Sonny was a fantastic fly fisherman and became a representative for Orvis and Sage due to his fly casting expertise.
But Sonny's real gift was his ability to make lifelong friends. He has been blessed to have a family of friends from all walks of life. He loved to be around people and was never at a loss for words. Also, Sonny loved spending time with his son, grandsons and granddaughter.
Sonny Mahan was a very kind and generous man who supported many worthwhile causes and organizations. He also was instrumental in organizing the Christ Congregational Church in Lufkin, Texas.
All who had the pleasure of being around Sonny will remember his beautiful smile and joyous laugh. He will be missed by many many people.
Survivors include his son James Boyd Mahan and daughter-in-law Lisa Kay Mahan of Austin, Texas; grandson Matthew Boyd Mahan of Austin, Texas; grandson Austin Hardy and granddaughter Ashlyn Hardy of Flower Mound, Texas. Also, his brother from another mother Juan Silva of Diboll, Texas. And many cousins from Arkansas.
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Karchmer, Jim Crosby, Bill Samelson, Bill Ewing, Jamie Dellinger, and Lawrence Dellinger.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Tom Sturdivant, Rex Covert, David Anderson, Mack Keeble, Bo Casimir, Johnny Williams, Jerome Rektorik, Pat Rogers, and Juan Silva.
He was preceded in death by his parents Archie Boyd Mahan and Lennie K. Mahan and the mother of his son Martha Painter Mahan.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christian Information and Service Center (C.I.S.C.), 501 S. Angelina Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75904 or the Winnie Berry Animal Shelter, c/o Humane Society of Angelina County, P.O. Box 472, Lufkin, Texas 75902.
The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.
Memories and condolences may be added at
www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.
Mary Anne Wilkinson
Sonny, you will be missed for your home nor, your stories, your jokes, your knowing every song from the 50's on(!), your caring about your friends, your generosity, and many more characteristics I haven't thought of. Thanks for being Bill's and my friend. Mary Anne
David C. Anderson
Sonny,
Learning of your passing floods my mind of all the fun, crazy times we shared during our high school years and all the years since. I will miss your sense of humor, your personal support, the lost opportunities to share more time together, and most of all, your unwavering friendship over all these years. I will always cherish the last moments we shared together. My comfort is knowing God is with you..
David
Timothy Griffin (Griffini)
Sonny and I were close friends at Wynn Seale Jr. We played football together there and at Ray on Freshman and JV teams, shared time together and enjoyed each other. May you rest in peace my friend. My memories of Corpus and you are inseparable. Sincerely, Tim Griffin
Larry Maltz
Sonny and I sat next to each other in Homeroom every year growing up. His hunting expeditions were always the topic in the fall. I will never forget. Larry Maltz
Janice Friedman (Edison)
What a great guy and a wonderful friend! I do not remember one day of school without you, elementary, jr.high, and of course highschool!!! Someday, we will all be together again! Until then, rest in peace dear one. Janice
Lynne Mullens (Hailey)
I met Sonny at Wynn Seale Jr. High, eigth grade. What a good guy. My condolences to Sonny's family and all who called him friend. You willl be missed by so many.
Dudley Beaven
I last saw Sonny several years ago at the big Houston Gun Show. He was there by himself and we had a good time talking about old times. I think we both started out at Menger and finished up at Ray. Sorry he is gone.
Paul Burney
Will miss you and the crazy and wonderful things we did in high school and while you were at A&M. Paul
Ceil Davis (Christensen)
Whenever I think of Sonny, I recall him saying at the Reunion, 'Next time I get the wheelchair concession'. He was always the life of the party. He will be missed.
Kathleen (Kathy) Nesbitt (Smith)
I will always remember, with great fondness, Sonny's big and bright smile; one for anyone he saw. He was a great friend. His kindness and loyalty was cherished by those fortunate enough to have him as a friend.
I'd be willing to bet he is already put in his request for "Proud Mary" and is singing and dancing with anyone that will sing and dance with him. Play those 50's songs and watch Sonny go!
My deepest condolences to all of his family and many, many friends. We will all miss him very much and join in your sorrow at this time.
Kathy