Alpine Avalanche

05/29/2026

Attention City Of Alpine Reidents- WATER UPDATE

05/28/2026

David Eric Molinar
David Eric Molinar, a beloved son, brother, father, uncle, and cherished member of his Alpine community, passed away on May 11, 2026, just weeks before what would have been his 54th birthday. Born on June 3, 1972, in Alpine, David’s life was a testament to warmth, generosity, and unwavering faith.
David graduated from Marfa High School in Marfa, where he was a member of the National Honor Society, before pursuing higher education at the University of Houston. There, he etched memories not only as a dedicated student but as a passionate football player, playing running back, proudly wearing the number 35, who was also known as one of the fastest players on the team. A die-hard fan of the University of Houston Cougars, David carried his school spirit beyond the field into every aspect of his life. Along with football, he enjoyed playing rugby and was an enthusiastic supporter of Houston’s professional sports teams—the Texans in the NFL, the Rockets in the NBA, and the Astros in MLB.
As the founder and operator of “A+ Premium Movers,” David infused his work with the same passion and dedication that marked his personal life. His business was more than a pursuit of livelihood; it was a platform where he connected with people, often taking the time to pause, explore, and appreciate life’s wonders. Among his proudest adventures were visits to iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore and Niagara Falls, as well as attending NFL games, especially those featuring the Detroit Lions.
David’s personality was a bright light to all who knew him, a.k.a. "Cool Breeze." Known for his quick wit and humor, he could always be counted on to share a joke or lift the spirits in the room. Deeply rooted in his Catholic faith, David was a devoted member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. His beliefs shaped a life committed to kindness, laughter, and service. This was reflected not only in his love for church but also in his generous heart—he was constantly contributing to charities and Catholic organizations, always eager to give back to those in need.
Family was the heartbeat of David’s world. He treasured Christmas with his family, cherishing the first snow each winter as a magical time to gather and create lasting memories. Simple joys like savoring his mother’s home-cooked meals or capturing precious moments with his camera brought him immense happiness. His favorite color, green, often featured in these snapshots, symbolizing the vitality he felt in life.
David leaves behind a legacy of love through those closest to him: his father, David De La Vega; his mother, Rosalinda Molinar; his sisters, Samantha Raquel George and her husband Andre George, Kathie (Kat) Hambleton and her husband Damien Hambleton, Natalie N. Lopez and her husband Ruben J. Lopez, and Audra De La Vega; nephews Robert C. Bridges, Jr., Darius T. Bridges, Donovan X. Bridges, Benjamin D. Lopez and great-nephew, Akio Kyson, nieces Shantel M. Bridges, Audra A. Lopez, Ella R. Lopez and Lucia G. Lopez and most dearly, his daughter Shysie Erica Molinar as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Their lives are enriched by the memories of his kindness, humor, and unwavering support.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Moises De La Vega and Anna Marie Rodarte, and his maternal grandparents, Andres R. Molinar, Jr. and Ofelia Torres-Molinar, whose legacies live on through the family and the values they imparted.
The community will gather to honor David’s life with a visitation on June 3, 2026, from 9 to 9:30 a.m., followed by a rosary at 9:30 a.m. and a mass at 10 a.m. All services will take place at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, located at 406 S 6th St, in Alpine. The day will conclude with an inurnment at Holy Angels Cemetery after the Mass, a sacred moment where family, friends, and loved ones will say their final farewell.
David Eric Molinar’s journey was marked by a heart that loved deeply and a spirit committed to lifting others. His laughter, generosity, and faith will resonate forever within the hearts of those who had the privilege to know him. Though he has passed from this world, the light he brought into it will continue to shine, a lasting reminder of a life beautifully lived.

05/28/2026

Beverly I. Thomas

Beverly Irene Whistler Thomas passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 21, 2026, surrounded by love and family. Beverly was born on November 12, 1939, in Del Rio to Clyde and Eve Whistler. She spent most of her life in Pecos raising a combined family of 9 kids with her husband, James Thomas (Coach Thomas), who passed less than a year ago. She is now reunited with those who preceded her in death, including her husband, her brother Jack Whistler, her sons Kenneth Gooding and James H Thomas III, her grandsons Jaxon Weidner and Duece Weidner, and granddaughter Eileen Gooding Orum.
Beverly is survived by her sister Dorothy “Dotty” Ross (Brad) of Moriarty, NM, her brothers Louis Whistler (Betty) of Alvin, and Terry Whistler (Kathy) of Tomball, her children Betty Kay Perea (Ablack) of Pecos, Debbie Welch (Bart) of Choctaw, OK, Brenda Grimsley (Brad) of Mustang OK, Darcy Gooding-Ard (Michael) of Timberlake, NC, Wade Gooding (Pam) of Fort Worth, Robert “Bobby” Gooding (Sharon) of Stephenville, and Michael “Mickey” Thomas (Julie) of Fort Worth. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren, and her beloved caregiver, Mikhail Hurst, whom she considered family.
Flowers may be sent to Pecos Funeral Home, or donations may be made in Beverly’s name to a charity of your choice or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.
Visitation – Friday, May 29, 5-8 p.m. - Pecos Funeral Home
Funeral – Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m. - Pecos Church of Christ
Interment – Saturday, May 30, ~4 p.m. - Elm Grove Cemetery

05/28/2026

Samuel Fierro
Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Samuel Fierro, 71, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. He was welcomed into the world by Manuel and Delia Fierro in Alpine, on January 7, 1955. Samuel was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps. His journey in life led him to meet Annabelle Sotelo, whom he married and was blessed with over 45 years of marriage. Together, they became the proud parents of Omar Samuel Fierro (Paige Ellsworth) and Naomi Ann Sanchez (Rene).
Samuel had a passion for golf and football and was an avid fan of the 49ers. He relished the role of being a grandfather and loved his grandchildren dearly.
Samuel was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Delia Fierro, brothers Roberto “Bobby” Fierro and Manuel “Cougar” Fierro Jr., as well as by his beloved grandparents and uncle, Rex Fierro. He leaves behind many memories that will remain with his beloved wife, Annabelle, and the rest of his family. Samuel’s legacy will live on not only through his children but also his grandchildren, Holly Colette Fierro, Kaia Rose Sanchez, and Micah Jesus Sanchez. He will be remembered by his brothers, Randy Fierro (Lilia) and Gary Fierro (Grace), and his sister, Ana Victoria Fierro. Samuel is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass will be held on June 6 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Alpine, with burial to follow at Holy Angels Cemetery.

05/28/2026

Dolphia Lee Blocker
7/29/1932 – 4/19/2026

The heart and soul of the Blocker family has passed away, peacefully and surrounded by children and grandchildren.
Dolphia Lee Parker was born to Verner and Gladys Parker in Shattuck, Oklahoma, just over the Texas line. She grew up living a rural, ranching life in Texas; a childhood she said was idyllic, along with her beloved five siblings. In order to afford Dolphia and her siblings more opportunities, when the elder siblings began high school, their mother and the children began spending the school year in Alpine, where Dolphia graduated, and then attended Sul Ross State University, where she met her future husband, Dan Davis Blocker.
They married when Dan returned from Korea in September 1952, and twins, Danna and Debbie, were born in 1953, followed by a son, David, in 1955. Soon thereafter, they moved to Hollywood, California, so that Dan could pursue his dream of acting. Dan rather quickly began to get acting work, and Dolphia's work soon got busier as well, with the arrival of a second son, Dirk, in 1957.
Despite the popularity of Dan's role in “Bonanza”, making normal life difficult, he and Dolphia remained true to the core of their lives: devotion to family and to each other, and to causes like civil rights, peace, and justice, which were inextricably part of their household's culture. Dolphia and the children were devastated by Dan's unexpected death following surgery in 1972, at the age of 43. Dolphia, at 39, managed to keep the family close through the kids’ teenage years.
When the kids were grown, she moved to her beloved Santa Barbara, where she lived the remaining almost 40 years of her life, traveling, writing wonderful poetry, supporting causes, keeping grandchildren for long stays, and hosting holidays in her home, which was always open and welcoming to all, and filled with food and wine, joy and love. Her children remained close to her, most living in Santa Barbara, drawn there by the truly ineffable, numinous presence she emanated and that was felt by all who met her. While she loved her family unconditionally, she was also a remarkable example of tolerance and acceptance, patience, and love for others.
Dolphia was predeceased in death by her sisters, Elaine Caldwell, Marilyn Sullivan, and brother, Deryl Parker; she is survived by her sisters, Shirley Robinson and Janice Smith. She is also survived by her children and their spouses, five grandchildren and their spouses, and eight great-grandchildren, all of whom cherished her, GD (Grandma Dolph), for all of the above, but also for her humor, fun, great love of life, and unfailing wisdom: As her grandchildren stipulated, years ago, "GD knows all and says all!" The family aches with the loss of her, but is grateful for the many years they were blessed to have her, and finds strength in the memories made.

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

05/22/2026

New City of Alpine updates on water restrictions and drilling of the new well.

05/13/2026

Brian Joseph Larremore
Brian was born September 20, 1945, to Wilma Sylvester and Arlene Lucile (Ernson) Larremore in Llano County, Texas. Brian passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on the morning of Friday, May 8, after a short time of hospice home care under the special care of Nurse Jess Langridge of Alpine. He was also lovingly cared for by his wife of 25 years, Jean Larremore, whom he married on November 15, 2001. He was also surrounded by close friends, Tommy Vick, Jon Brooks, S***t, and Connie Jo Boyd, who all provided support and help as needed. Connie Jo, who was like an adopted daughter to Brian, made special visits with her husband, S***t Boyd, who is the Preacher of the Church in The Mountains of Fort Davis. S***t gathered us all, and we all laid hands on Brian as S***t made a special prayer over Brian, and we all said our farewells.
Brian was preceded in death by his father, Wilma Sylvester Larremore; mother, Arlene Lucile (Erson); his beloved daughter Leanna, who he adored and who departed at a very young age; brothers, Fred Castle, David, and Lynn Larremore.
Brian is survived by his son James (Jim) Eric Larremore; Grandchildren, Justin Quinn Larremore and wife Sarah of North Carolina; Bailey Larremore and James Cole Larremore of Alpine; siblings, Gary Larremore and wife Jeannie of Llano; Jackie Sessions of Tomball; his brother by choice, Art Ramsey and wife Tamara; and his step-grandson Harry Carroll of Austin. Besides his immediate family, Brian has numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. He also has so many friends that he counted as family, such as Teddy and Tracy Foster of Missouri; Lisa Tirey-Butler of Rockwall; and a granddaughter-by-choice, Austin Noland.
Brian was gifted with more friends that are too numerous to mention, because if all were listed, this would become a book.
Brian lived his life as he wished for the most part, which is a rare accomplishment during these trying times. He was a police officer at Sul Ross State University for 21 years and loved being with the students. Prior to that, he was a deputy in Marathon with the Brewster County Sheriff's office. Most of all, Brian was a rancher and always said that "he had to work to afford his bad habit of ranching". He loved his horses, his cows, and the Texas State Dog (2005), the Blue Lacy, and the Larremore Ranch (south of Alpine), also a place shared by rock hunters from all over the country.
Everyone who met Brian knew him as the "Old Cowboy" with a cigar hanging out of his mouth. The kids at the college during his time as a police officer at SRSU had several names for him: Smokey, OG (old guy), Black Hat, or just Larremore. They all respected Brian because he was a fair and compassionate man. He had the "True Grit" spoken of in old westerns, which was his favorite pastime to watch on TV or read old western books. He was a hardworking, God-loving, and believer, a gentleman who counted himself lucky to have such great friends and family. A man with pride, but was not prideful. His word was his bond. If he shook hands with you, that was his promise, and he expected the same from others. Brian never wore his heart on his sleeve, but you could tell that his heart was good and as strong as his word.
His autobiography, "Self Portrait of a Texas Cowboy", narrated by Brian to Jean, his wife, was more than just stories. They were his truth, his life, and his love. Honesty was his policy, and truth was his passion. He was a simple man with simple desires of working with his dogs, cows, or riding horses, which he fondly called those horses his "land yachts". Brian was truly a giant of a man, that no words can do justice to the love he had for others and the lives he enriched by just being himself.
Brian and Jean would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those special people in his life who visited, phoned, or texted him during his time of illness and passing.
A memorial will be held for him in the near future. He did not want a funeral or tears. He loved to hear and tell stories that would cause laughter, and if no stories were known, his answer was to tell a few "fibs" to make people laugh. When the memorial is held, every attempt will be made to invite all who wish to attend.
You are and always will be loved and missed, Brian Larremore. Ride high and stay on the top side.