Earl Drennan, Jr.

GRANBURY — Earl Drennan, Jr., better known as “Shine” to many throughout the state, passed away on Sunday, May 4 at his home in Granbury after a long, brave battle with COPD. He was 85. Funeral Serevice: 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 7 at the Wiley Funeral Home Chapel in Granbury. Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment: Holly Hills Memorial Park in Granbury.
The man who drew his nickname because of his sunny disposition and eternally hopeful outlook was born Nov. 7, 1928 to Earl and Laura Drennan on a farm outside Olney. His beliefs about hard work were built early when he helped support the family in the years immediately following the Great Depression by working as a ranch hand and chasing the wheat harvest across the Great Plains as a teenager. He enlisted in the Navy in 1946, trained in San Diego, patrolled the Pacific and served in atomic bomb testing at Bikini Atoll. Following his military service, he returned home and met the love of his life Cherry Parker. They were married June 1, 1948 and celebrated their 65th anniversary last summer. Early in their marriage, Earl farmed during the day while roughnecking at night before turning his full attention to the oilfield, where he became one of the foremost authorities in oil and gas drilling in the southwest. He spent most of his adult life in Ballinger and San Angelo, loved to travel – particularly to Las Vegas – and took great pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Zach Drennan, Kenny Drennan, Jr., Alec Drennan, Holt Jenkins, Hank Drennan, T.J. Drennan, Mike Bieler and Stephen Rosenhamer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Lung Association. Survivors: wife, Cherry; sons Royce and wife Kathy of Norman, OK, Kenneth and wife Marcia of Granbury, Paul and wife Vicky of San Angelo, Eric and wife Kristi of Temple; daughter, Patti Green and husband Josh of Granbury; 13 Grandchildren and 17 Great Grandchildren.
Wiley Funeral Home
Granbury, 817-573-3000