Michael "Mike" Gene Emmerson
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Mike Emmerson?February 11, 1952-December 19, 2020
Ralph Vernon Emmerson and Billie Jo Scoggin Emmerson welcomed Michael Gene into the world on February 11, 1952 in Kermit, Texas. Five years later, his bright blue eyes looked adoringly down on his baby sister Shellye. Well before he went to school, Mike's fascination for golf was fed by a close family friend named Jimmy Matheny who worked along-side Ralph at El Paso Natural Gas. Jimmy taught Mike some basics of the game, but his most lasting contribution was a passion for the honor, traditions, and sportsmanship of the game.
The men at Winkler County Country Club noticed Mike's determination early on and encouraged his talent. Even as a young child Mike hit countless golf balls both at the driving range as well as at any open space available. He became known as one of the finest West Texas golfers on the West Texas Junior Golf Tour. His successful golf career for four years of Kermit High School led to a scholarship offer at Odessa College where Mike played for two years under Coach Barry Rodenhaver.
Mike married his high school sweetheart Sandy Sanders Emmerson on August 1, 1971. Together they attended college until Mike joined his dad in business at Slick's Auto Supply, and they expanded the business into Slick's Auto and Trustworthy Hardware. Mike nurtured the family business as a young boy and well beyond the passing of the original "Slick" for over 40 years.
The Emmerson couple embraced parenthood with the birth of Lacey Melissa and then Mycah Colette. Mike was even more successful at fatherhood than he was at golf. His "Dad" stories were legendary among his friends until Emily Alexandra and Matthew Augustus (Gus)Hill Glover made "Dad" a "Pops." At that point, Mike's story focus slightly shifted. No matter who the star of his family narratives happened to be, Mike was unmistakably a family man before all else.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years Sandy Emmerson, his daughter Lacey Bavousett and her husband Brian, Mycah and her husband Matthew Glover, and grandchildren Emily and Gus Glover. Mike's sister Shellye Highley and her husband Robert also survive Mike. Mike loved to aggravate his nieces Jazmin and Kaley Collie along with her husband Chad and his nephew Ryan Highley and his wife Deminy just to stimulate an atmosphere of healthy humor. He enjoyed entertaining his six great-nieces and nephews, Crue, Case, and London Collie and Deacon, Rhett, and Addie Highley.
Mike's family and friends will long remember his kindness, dry humor, helpfulness, humility, compassion, and sense of style. Mike's Christian beliefs were demonstrated by daily acts of authentic love of the people around him whether he knew them well or not. We are most thankful to have been a part of a life so well-played and look forward to seeing that smile again in Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Mike Emmerson Memorial Golf Scholarship which is currently being set-up through West Texas National Bank.
Services are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor.