Lonnie J. Eslick

Lonnie James Eslick Lonnie James Eslick, 66, passed away in Goshen, Indiana, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009. He was born Oct. 10, 1942, in Dawson, Navarro County, Texas, to L.J. and Lucy Elizabeth Keel Eslick. He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant son, Russell Glenn. Lonnie graduated from Mexia High School in 1961 and received an associate degree from Navarro County Junior College in 1963. He was awarded a B.B.A from Sam Houston State University in 1965 and an M.B.A from Sam Houston State University in 1968. After working for Humble Oil and Refining (Exxon) and Sam Houston State University in the mid-60s, Lonnie joined the Texas Department of Corrections on Oct. 18, 1967. After serving in various positions within the agency, he found his true calling in the data processing and communications area. Lonnie was instrumental in developing the information technology and communications programs for the prison system, many of which are still in place today. He was Employee of the Year for TDCJ in 1971. After 28 years of service with TDJC, Lonnie retired on Aug. 31, 1995, as the Assistant Director for Data Services and Communications. He has since donated many personal memorabilia items to the Texas Prison Museum. In 1995, Lonnie moved to South Carolina, where he worked for the South Carolina Department of Corrections. He served as Inspector General for three years. He retired in 2000. He loved and supported Scouting and attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1957, and had continued membership in the Eagle Scout Association. He was also a member of the Texas Sheriffs' Association, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Association, the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association, the American Correctional Association and the Southern States Correctional Association. Lonnie loved playing golf and traveling in his RV —especially to visit his grandchildren. He also loved Texas and Texas A&M. Lonnie was a Mason and an active member of Forrest Masonic Lodge No. 19, in Huntsville, Texas, for over 35 years. He served as Worshipful Master of Forrest Lodge in 1978, and as Lodge Secretary from 1979 to 1981. He served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 28th Masonic District of the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1983. He was also presented with a Life Membership in Forrest Lodge in 1983, and the Golden Trowel Award in Forrest Lodge in 2009. Lonnie was an active, avid member and supporter of his church, Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington, S.C., and was a member of the Men's Prayer Breakfast Group and Bible Study groups. Lonnie is survived by his wife, Sandra Steele Eslick of Lexington, S.C.; daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Jon West, and granddaughter, Hailey Grace, of Coppell, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Mark and Margge Eslick, and grandsons, Kyle and Wade and granddaughter, Peyton, of Georgetown, Ky.; stepdaughter, Shannon Cook and grandchildren, Ethan, Morgan and Megan of Gilbert, S.C.; and stepson, Jamie Jeffcoat and wife, Sarah, and grandchildren, Will and AnnaGrace, of Irmo, S.C. Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 Normal Park Drive, Huntsville, Texas. Services will be Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Reagan Cooksey officiating. Graveside services with Masonic Honors, under direction of Forrest Masonic Lodge No. 19, will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Mexia City Cemetery, Mexia, Texas. Memorial Services will be held Sunday, 3:00 PM. August 23, 2009, at Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lonnie’s name to Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church, 1205 Old Cherokee Road, Lexington, SC 29072; Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, 2200 Children's Way, Nashville, TN 37232; or Forrest Masonic Lodge No. 19, P. O. Box 1004, Huntsville, TX 77342.

Lonnie J. Eslick

January 1, 1753 - August 15, 2009