Arthur A. Autry

Arthur A. Autry

Arthur (A. A.) Autry, 86 of Madisonville Texas went to be with the Lord on December 3, 2017.

He was born on September 29, 1931 in Santa Fe, Texas.

As a boy growing up in Galveston County, he excelled in high school athletics and "milked” many a cow for $5 a day. Autry worked on the family dairy farm and scrambled 3 times at the Houston Livestock Show and got a calf each time.  As a young man he worked 16 or more hours a day to establish himself in business by opening Autry Insurance Agency and Autry Realty, while at the same time, holding down a fulltime job at American Oil Co. Autry worked about 9 years as an operator for the American Oil Company in Texas City and during this same period worked another 8 or more hours a day on his business projects. While working at American Oil in Texas City, workers went on strike in July of 1959, the Autry Real Estate and Insurance Agency was well established.  After working at 3 businesses when the strike ended he just didn't go back and began full time in the insurance and real estate business. Arthur was an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time.

In 1960, Arthur was elected Justice of the Peace of Precinct 4, Galveston County, Texas, serving 16 years. In 1981 he was appointed by the commissioners' court of Galveston County, Texas to serve as a member of Drainage District No. 1.  Arthur was so proud of his accomplishment being the chairman in obtaining the Corporation of the City of Santa Fe, Texas, he very proudly served as director for the Texas First Bank of Santa Fe, (formerly Bank of Santa Fe) 1971-1987, Chairman of the Galveston County Dairy Show, later becoming the Galveston Co. Fair and Rodeo, also adding the American Quarter Horse show, President of the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce for several years, earning the "Man of the Year Award" twice and also awarded “Mr. Santa Fe". He was very active in his community serving various positions, Santa Fe Jaycees, Santa Fe Little League, the Optimist Club, Santa Fe Softball League and various others.

His dreams of owning a ranch and running cattle came true in 1985 when he and his beloved wife, Ilene, moved to Buffalo, Texas. After 31 years of ranching he decided to retire from his dream. He built a home in Madisonville, Texas next to his granddaughter, Tiffiny Underwood, and remained there until his passing.  He was surrounded by family and loved ones.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sherman and Quinola Rush.  He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ilene Autry; sister, Nadie Simpson; 5 children, Brenda Rogers and husband, Jack, Dean Autry , Mickey Autry and wife, Becky, Tabbi Still and husband, Richard , Evelyn Deharde and husband, Randy; 9 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and numerous family members and friends.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 7, 2017, in the chapel of Hayes Funeral Home, with Pastor Terry Gibson officiating.  Interment will follow at Alta Loma Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Randy Deharde, Brad French, Darrel Haney, Richard Still, Jason Tabor and Jeff Underwood. Honorary bearers will be Chuck Doyle, Matt Doyle and Pat Doyle.

Visitation with the family will be from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, 10412 Highway 6, Hitchcock, TX (409) 925-3501. 

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