Edward Ray Middlebrook

Edward Ray Middlebrook, age 49, of West, passed away early Wednesday morning, October 6, 2010 at his residence. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church in West, with Dr. John Crowder officiating. Burial will follow at Bold Springs Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Ed was born September 20, 1961 in Waco, the son of Bobby Ray and Barbara Ann (Skopik) Middlebrook. He graduated from St. Mary's School in 1976, West High School in 1980, received an associate's degree in Information Systems from McLennan Community College in 1982, and became a Certified Computer Professional in 1989. On June 14, 1980 he was united in marriage to Sharon Hill in West. Ed was an information systems manager for Plantation Foods in Waco from 1981 to 2002. He then became the information systems manager for a team of programmers for Central Freight Lines. Ed was a member of the First Baptist Church in West, there he served as a Deacon (past chairman), an adult couples Sunday School teacher, a new member class teacher, and the chairman of the Stewardship Committee. Ed enjoyed being an amateur radio operator (call sign "KC5NT") for over 30 years. He was a past president and member of the Heart of Texas Amateur Radio Club, a past president of the West Youth Baseball/Softball Association, a state officer of the Czech Heritage Society of Texas, a member of the McLennan/Hill County Czech Heritage Society, a member of West SOKOL, and a precinct chairman of the McLennan County Republican Party. Survivors include his beloved wife of 30 years, Sharon Middlebrook of West; a son, Eddie Middlebrook and wife Amanda of Lacy Lakeview; two daughters, Katy Frazier and husband Kyle of Houston and Sarah Middlebrook of Denton; a very special granddaughter, Katie Middlebrook; his parents-in-law, Joe and Peggy Hill of West; a brother, Robert Middlebrook of Waco; a sister, Lisa Middlebrook and friend Hank Dawson of West; brothers-in-law, Dennis Hill and wife Linda and Kenneth Hill and wife Melinda; sister-in-law, Rebecca Holloman and husband Jeff; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Ervin Middlebrook Jr., David Skopik, Richard Skopik, Charles Franke, Dennis Hill, Kenneth Hill, Jeff Holloman, and Benny Worley. Honorary pallbearers are the First Baptist Church of West Deacons and the Heart Of Texas Amateur Radio Club Members. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of West Building Fund, the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in LaGrange, or to the West Youth Baseball/Softball Association.