Harroll "Cotton" Salge

    Harroll Wallis “Cotton” Salge, 83, of Lockhart, passed away Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014. Cotton was born in Karnes Count,y the son of Robert W. “Bob” and Effie Roberts Salge. He grew up in the country near Karnes City helping on the family farm. He graduated from Karnes City High School in 1950, where he lettered in football and track. In 1950 he began his long career in the oil business, starting as a roughneck which took him to the oilfield in Freer, Texas. It was there he met his future wife Charlene Harris and they were married on Oct. 17, 1953. Cotton’s career spanned 50 years and he worked in Texas, Louisiana, the Gulf of Mexico and worldwide including the Red Sea and Egypt. He drilled the first Chalk well in Gonzales County and was noted for 2 “Record” wells in Runge. He retired in 2000 as an Oil Field Consultant. While still in the oil business he started a cattle business with his son. He loved raising cattle and attending cattle auctions. His favorite hobbies included deer hunting, collecting guns, tractor shows, watching calf roping, music and finding estate sales and auctions. In the 1950’s through the 1980’s he enjoyed flying and owned his own plane, a Cessna 150. Wherever he lived, he visited all of the area coffee shops. He was best known for his always happy attitude and had a big smile for everyone he met. He was very dedicated to his friends, by visits, phone calls and when he could not be there, sending heartfelt notes. He was a mentor to many. He was loved by everyone he met. He never met a stranger and liked to tell “true” stories.
    He was a member of the Clearfork Baptist Church and the Edna Masonic Lodge. Most of all he was a loving husband, daddy and Papaw. He attended most all of his grandchildren’s events and loved to brag to his friends about them.
    He is survived by his wife of 61 years Charlene Harris Salge; daughters Edie Salge Schumann and husband Ross of Dripping Springs and Shera Salge Kucera and husband Scotty of Edna; son Allen Salge and wife Donna of Luling; sister Gwendolyn Louise “Chico” Rigby and husband Jerry of St. Petersburg, Florida; brother C.J. “Nook” Salge and wife Alice of Aransas Pass; 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. 
    He was preceded by his parents, sister Lillian Salge Needham, brothers Robert Ray Salge and Woody William Salge and his infant grandson James Ray Salge. 
    Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22 at the Clearfork Baptist Church with Rev. Doug Smith and Brother Bobby Robertson officiating. Interment will follow at the Clearfork Cemetery. 
    Pallbearers include Allen, Coley, Cody, Shane, Jim and Stanley Salge, Scotty, Matthew and Brad Kucera, Ross Schumann and Fred Pfeil.
    In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Clearfork Baptist Church, 461 Clearfork Road, Lockhart, TX 78644 or Heart To Heart Hospice, 1340 Wonder World Dr.,Suite 4202, San Marcos, TX 78666. 
    Arrangements under the care and direction of O’Bannon Funeral Home 210 S. Laurel, Luling Texas 830-875-5713.