Harlan E. Blau

Harlan Edward Blau passed away November 25, 2014 at his home in Menard, Texas at the age of 93. Harlan was the eldest of seven children raised on the family farm near Falls City, Nebraska. He was a veteran of World War II, where he served in the Pacific Theatre. Harlan moved to Texas in 1947 and started working in the oilfield, settling in Odessa. In 1950 he married Martha Ruth Drury. He worked at Wooley Tool, Basin Machine and Henson Machine until 1964, when he started H and H Machine Works. In 1967, he became a partner in Texas Reamer Co. In 1982, Texas Reamer and H and H were sold and in 1983, Harlan purchased land in Menard county and began ranching. In 1985, Harlan left the oilfield and gave agriculture his full attention. He stayed on a tractor through the age of 92. Harlan's pastime was working, which he interrupted with an occasional hunting or fishing trip. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ed and Mary Koso Blau, two sisters; Mildred Ingram and Betty Taylor and two brothers; Merle Blau and Delmar Blau. He was also preceded in death by two wives. His wife of 26 years, Martha Ruth Blau, who passed away in 1976, and his second wife, Johnnie Stephens Blau, who passed away in 1988. He is survived by his loving wife, Stevie Davis Blau, of the home, one son, Mark Blau, and wife Leesa of Menard, Tx; and three granddaughters, Lynsie Blau of Ft Worth, Tx, Lacey Blau of Richardson, Tx, And Laura Blau of Denver, Co. He is also survived by four step-children; Kathy Stephens Ray and husband, Danny of Houston, Tx, Morley Davis and wife, Patti of Vacaville Ca, Debbie Davis of Las Vegas, Nv, and Mike Davis and wife, Susan of Hisperia, Ca; two sisters, Irene Stewart of Odessa and Donna Kerns, of Lincoln,Ne, and one sister-in-law, Dolly Blau of Odessa, Tx; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation and viewing will be from 12:30 to 1:30 at Heritage Funeral home in Menard on Friday, November 28th, with graveside services following at 2:00 pm at Rest Haven cemetery. Pall bearers will be Hoppy Murchison, Jay Kothmann, Mike Blau, Coby Blau, Brandon Blau, Morley Davis and Josh Davis.

Harlan E. Blau

March 2, 1921 - November 25, 2014