Sydney Elmo Niblo

Sydney Elmo Niblo, 80, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on June 9, 2016 in Abilene, Texas. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 11 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest at 602 Meander with the Rev. Eric Mancil and The Rt. Rev. Claude E. Payne, Seventh Bishop of Texas, officiating. Inurnment will follow in the columbarium. Syd was born in Abilene, Texas, to Elmo Grady Niblo and Lurline Elizabeth Alexander Niblo on January 26, 1936. He attended Valley View Elementary and Franklin Middle School and graduated from Abilene High School in 1954. He attended McMurry College, Texas Tech University, Hardin-Simmons College, and graduated from the University of Texas in 1959 with a Business Administration degree. He married Francis Evelyn Thomas on September 16, 1960 in Abilene, Texas. Syd served in the Texas National Guard from 1954 to 1961. Syd was a banker and worked at Southwest Savings, Bank of Commerce, (President in 1964), and First State Bank (President 1978-1989). Syd was an avid reader. He loved puns and telling jokes. Syd was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. His grandkids called him SydDaddy. During their 55 years of marriage, Syd and Evelyn loved playing dominoes, entertaining, traveling, and skeet shooting. Syd lived most of his life with his wife Evelyn in a home located at the south end of Lytle Lake. Syd loved hunting and spending time driving in the country. In 1994, Syd developed subdivisions in far south Abilene called Saddle Creek Estates and Lakes of Saddle Creek. Syd loved Abilene and spent much of his life giving back to the community. Over the years, Syd received many accolades including Abilene Chamber of Commerce 1979 Citizen of the Year and Abilene's 10 Most Influential Citizens of 1982. He also served in the following leadership positions: Abilene Chamber of Commerce; Abilene Country Club Director; Citizens for Better Government, Chairman; the Exchange Club, President; Hendrick Medical Center Foundation, President; Petroleum Club, Director; Taylor County Exposition Center, President; United Way of Abilene, Vice President and Campaign Chairman; and West Central Texas Municipal Water District Board, President. Syd also served on the following boards: Abilene Industrial Foundation, Business Aid Development Corporation of Abilene, St. John's Episcopal School, Small Business Association Community Advisory Council, Taylor County Heart Association, West Texas Fair Association, and West Texas Rehabilitation Center. Syd was preceded in death by his parents, Lurline Alexander Niblo and Elmo G. Niblo. He is survived by his wife, Francis Evelyn Thomas Niblo of Abilene; his son, Thomas Alexander Niblo and his wife, Cheryl McKissack Niblo; his daughter, Ellouise Niblo Sweetser and her husband Luke Sweetser; and his grandchildren, Elizabeth Niblo Wallace and husband Wilson Wallace, Catherine Niblo, Hale Sweetser and Rob Sweetser; and sister-in-law, Kitty Bentley Thomas, and niece, Sydney Thomas. Pallbearers will be Jim Alexander, Tom Choate, Tom Perini, Jack Ramsey, Charles Scarborough, Jimmy Tittle, Dan Winters, and H.C. Zachary. Memorials may be given to The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest, Ben Richey Boys Ranch, United Way of Abilene, Abilene Zoological Society, Salvation Army, Grace Museum and Rescue the Animals SPCA. The family of Sydney Niblo wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Gloria and Lupe Navarro, and Rosalba and Francis J. Maciel. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with no separate scheduled visitation at the funeral home. The family welcomes friends and family at the family home.