Van M. Boozer

Van M. Boozer Van Marlin Boozer, 86, died Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at an Abilene medical center. The son of Nell Bouton and Alvin Draper Boozer, Van was born on June 7, 1927, in Ovalo, Texas, in South Taylor County, where he was reared and attended school. He graduated from Ovalo High School in 1945, and attended John Tarleton College until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Van served in the Army during World War II from 1945-1947, having been honorably discharged as a staff sergeant. From 1949 to 1961, he was self-employed as a building contractor in Fort Worth. He moved from Fort Worth to Abilene in 1961. Van became a life/health insurance representative with Business Men’s Assurance Co. for over 40 years, and with AFLAC for many years. Van was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Abilene, where he was a Deacon Emeritus and served as Deacon Chairman in 1983. He, along with his wife, Melba, was co-director of the Adult I Sunday School Department at the church for over 25 years. He was a member of Kiwanis Club of Abilene and past president (1973-74) and was named “Outstanding Kiwanian of the Year” (1978-79) by the club. He was a member of the Abilene Association of Life Underwriters, serving as president (1969-70). Van was past president of the West Texas Fair Association (1978) and was West Texas Fair Parade Grand Marshal in 1993. He was past president of the Taylor County Chapter of American Heart Association, and an active volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Van was preceded in death in 1961 by his first wife, Imogene McMillon Boozer, whom he married on October 1, 1949 in Abilene, infant daughter, Terri Lu Boozer; parents, A.D. and Nell Bouton Boozer; brother, Harold Boozer: and three sisters, Fern Boozer Wood, Celeta Boozer Martin and Joretta Boozer Pogue. Survivors include his wife, Melba Rucker Boozer, whom he married on December 21, 1963, in Abilene; daughter and son-in-law Marla and Charles E. “Chuck” Winterberger, Jr. of Sacramento, California; granddaughter, Laura Winterberger of Sacramento; sister, Mrs. Clifford “Su” Swindle of Abilene; numerous nieces and nephews; and extended family members including the McMillon family. “If true wealth is measured by the love of his friends and family, respect of his colleagues, strength of his faith and the legacy that he leaves behind”, one would be the richest man in the world. This was Van’s richness which also was characterized by his ready smile and quick wit. By remembering him often and sharing his familiar stories, Van will live forever in our hearts. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 24, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. in Abilene. Graveside service will be held at 12 Noon Saturday, January 25, in Elmwood Memorial Park followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church Sanctuary officiated by Dr. Philip Christopher and Rev. Palmer McCown. Serving as pallbearers will be Larry Swindle, Jimmy Pogue, Larry McMillon, Don Hothan, Harold Rucker and Larry Allen. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels Plus, P.O. Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604, American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5616, Abilene, TX 79608, or an organization of one’s choice.