J. Lee Ensor
Marvin J. Lee Ensor, 78, died June 29, 2013 at his residence in Christoval, Texas. J. Lee was formerly from Bronte, Texas, where he lived most of his life. The memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 1, at the Central Baptist Church in Bronte. Graveside service will immediately follow at Fairview Cemetery.
J. Lee was born on November 5, 1934 to Hollis and Nathalie (Stephenson) Ensor. He grew up in Bronte and was a member of Central Baptist Church. He graduated from Bronte High School in 1953.
J. Lee married Delma Qualls of Abilene on May 27, 1956. They celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary in May.
As a young man, J. Lee worked as a ranch foreman, gas plant operator and other service or maintenance jobs. He began a career in law enforcement in 1973 as a Deputy Sheriff in Coke County. He was appointed and then elected as Coke County Sheriff. He served as sheriff from 1974 to 1980. J. Lee continued to serve in law enforcement until his retirement in 1988.
J. Lee served many years on the Coke County junior livestock show board and as an officer of the Coke County rodeo association and roping club. He was recognized by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in 1971 for his work as a 4- H volunteer in Coke County.
He moved to Jerico Springs, Missouri, in 1993. They lived there for eleven years and enjoyed living on a small farm. J. Lee made many new friends during his time in Missouri.
Raising livestock, riding horses, and hunting with a good hound dog were some of J. Lee’s passions. Not only did he enjoy these things, he was also very competitive. J. Lee started a flock of registered Rambouillet sheep as an FFA project in high school and competed at local and major livestock shows. Upon graduation from high school he continued to raise and exhibit his sheep across the state. J. Lee won many awards, including the Richardson and Dameron Trophies at the San Angelo Stock Show. His children and grandchildren also competed at the livestock shows across Texas and he was proud of their accomplishments.
Horses were special to J. Lee and he continued to enjoy horseback riding as long as his health allowed. While living in Bronte, he worked with other community leaders to make sure local horse events and opportunities were available for interested Coke County adults and youth. He especially enjoyed watching his children, grandchildren, and other special young people in his life participate in trail rides, rodeos and other events.
J. Lee was an avid hunter and loved to train and hunt his hound dogs. He won numerous awards with the dogs he trained during the time he was in Missouri. He was featured on the front cover of The Hunters Horn, a national magazine, in 2001.
J. Lee loved people and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was the family member that made sure a family reunion happened every year. J. Lee came from a simple country life and knew what was truly important in life -faith, family, and friends. He had an enormous influence on many lives and will be greatly missed.
J. Lee was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Billy Wayne Ensor. He is survived by his loving wife; four children –Marvin Ensor and wife Karen of San Angelo, Kathy Griffin and husband John of Hockley, Tom Ensor and wife Dee of San Angelo, and Waylan Ensor and wife Michelle of San Angelo; seven grandchildren- Emily (Ensor) Morris and her husband Cade of Salado, Kaley (Ensor) Barrett and husband Casey of San Angelo, Whitney Ensor of Fort Worth, Lee Clark of Hockley, Kate Clark of Hockley, John Saunders of San Angelo, Jayton Ensor of San Angelo, Jaycee Ensor of San Angelo, and ; four great grandchildren –Macy and Carter Morris, and Rylee and Preslee Barrett.
Other surviving family includes his brother Jesse Ensor of Shep, and sister Bonnie Perry of Winters.
Pallbearers will be Dennie Braswell, Eddie Sweeten, Wendell Lee, Alonzo Robbins, Turner Lee, and John Paul McGuire.
The family wished to give a special thanks to Dr. Denver Marsh of San Angelo for many years of great care. Care of Heritage Family Funeral Home Ballinger TX.

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