Levi Noguess, Jr.

Levi Noguess, Jr. entered this world on August 5, 1993, in the Darnell Army Community hospital on Fort Hood Army Base in Killeen, Texas. He was welcomed by his Father, then Warrant Officer 1 Levi B. Noguess Sr. and his amazing mother Juli A. Noguess and sisters Abby and LeAnne.

From the time Levi joined us he always made his presence known. Never one to enjoy being cooped up in the house or classroom, he began mowing duties with his Dad at the tender age of only a couple of months. Whenever his dad would start up the riding lawn tractor, Levi Jr. knew his place was on his father’s lap where he would ride until he fell asleep. His dad would then do a drive by on the front door to hand him off to Mom for an inside nap.

Levi was not cut out for public school. He could not understand why “they” expected him to sit inside all day doing “nothing fun.”  He wanted to be outside! Although he hated school, his teachers loved him. He had an unusually loveable spirit that drew his teachers to him with a willingness to do all they could to help him succeed. This would prove to be a lasting quality of his that played out through his life.

After his first semester of High School at Harker Heights High, it became evident that he was going to need much more than his charm to make it through that right of passage and into the world. With a little research and prayer, his parents found a school in Wyoming that offered a chance to combine outdoor activities like digging post holes, bucking hay, and feeding cows with a good dose of education on things that really mattered. For Dad, this seemed like a great way to provide Levi with some of the experiences he had while growing up in a ranching family even though they didn’t live on a ranch at the time.  Levi thought it sounded like a great adventure…. until he spent his first week there. It was not easy, but he did blossom and learned not only many life skills, but also that his parents and teachers were not the only ones who expected him to work hard.

And work hard he did. Levi’s work ethic became one of his most notable and admired qualities. His friends and coworkers have told countless stories of how he would always get the “JOB DONE.” “Levi was never late to work.”  When he started, he did not quit! He inspired others to work alongside him and was an asset on any job site.

He was an adventurer. He found opportunity in every situation and created opportunity when necessary. His first real job after leaving Heart Mountain High School, was as a wrangler on a dude ranch in Wyoming where he saddled horses for the guests and led them on trail rides through the Beartooth mountains outside of Yellowstone national park. One of his duties included a weekly trip driving the guests to see the old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone. For three summers he was living a cowboy’s dream, rounding up horses, shoeing them, and riding them through picturesque mountains of Wyoming.

In the fall he joined up with a hunting guide outfit and wrangled the horses for the hunters while also keeping their fire blazing and coffee hot. It was cold up in the mountains, but he loved it, and the hunters loved him.

Levi was a charmer and ruggedly handsome. This proved to be both an asset and a curse at times. While at the dude ranch, the owner told his Dad that Levi was great, but it was hard to keep his mostly female kitchen crew away from him. Of course, many of the ladies who were paying guests loved him also. Some of them even took pictures of him and sent them to him as a thank you; and let him know how great it was to have him as their guide. One of the younger ones even managed to wrangle him out to the East coast to be closer to her. He did not find love, but of course living in Pennsylvania was another whole new adventure; and Levi made the most of it.

While back east, completely out of his element, he got a job working for Daley Plumbing. This job, like most that he had had, turned into a great relationship with his boss, Michael Daley. Mike was amazed by Levi’s work ethic and life view. Levi learned some plumbing and Mike learned a little about life from the still young, but wise Levi. For Levi, this was the time when he first realized that his hard work doing the jobs that others shunned, could earn him a good living. Their relationship went well beyond work. In fact, there may still be a lingering scent of wild pig in Daley’s freezer which will ensure that Levi’s contribution to Michael and Cheri’s lives will never be forgotten.

When Levi had reached the end of his rope on the East coast and city life, he returned to Texas, just in time to be available for his next calling…another adventure. This time with his Uncle Jamie settling the estate of a dear family friend (Uncle Pat Everett) in his parents’ hometown of Menard, TX. For the next year he worked alongside his uncle on Pat’s Ranch where he tended cattle, mended fences, and liquidated the redneck version of a classic car collection… or what most would call a junkyard of old pickup trucks long past their prime. It was during this time that he and Uncle Jamie really bonded. At the time, each of them was exactly what the other needed. They worked hard, talked about God, watched western movies, and laughed extensively. I think they memorized every line of the western movie Lonesome Dove…

After the ranch estate was settled, Levi went to work for Rusty Allen… A Cowboy, a Preacher, and a businessman who loved the Lord and loved Levi. This relationship too, stood the test of time and Levi’s final Sunday was spent in Rusty’s Cowboy Church.

From there he went to the oil field, where he worked alongside his brother (in-law) Richard. It was in this job that he first experienced the camaraderie that comes from working together in a team toward a common goal. When the oil prices plummeted, he quickly found a job operating machinery for a company that installs wind turbines. During the job transition, he found time to finish his pilot training and get his private pilot’s certificate.

Levi grew up flying with his father and loved aviation. He took flying trips with his father and eventually bought his grandfather’s plane from his dad. Levi took great pride in restoring the old Piper Clipper to its glory and improving it where he could. He made it his own and turned it into a “Bush Plane.”  That is a plane designed and perfected to land out in the “Bush.”  In other words, not at an airport. He and his Dad flew together, each in his own plane, to many different remote locations. The airplane offered him another avenue of adventure and freedom.

He loved to share that freedom and adventure with his friends and took them flying at every opportunity. True to his character, he was an excellent pilot and ambassador to aviation for those he took to the skies. He carefully explained every action and maneuver as he was proceeding toward and into the flight; always being careful to ensure a positive experience for his passengers.

When his company found out he was a pilot, they knew he was not going to be satisfied for long as a laborer and offered to send him to Crane school. Of course, Levi jumped at the opportunity, accepted the challenge and succeeded with ease. This was the kind of school Levi could get excited about! He beamed when telling his parents about the cranes, the course, and the test. Armed with a crane certification and pilot’s license, Levi was ready to tackle the world.

After a while on the crane, he was invited back to the oil field by a former friend. Levi remembered the camaraderie and yearned to return, so he did. Soon, though, he was transferred to work in North Dakota in the wintertime: not ideal for a Texas boy. As it turns out, he realized that it was not simply working in the oil field that he loved, it was the crew he was on. He did not like the North Dakota winter, but he put his all into the job while being open to other opportunities. Then, through a friend, he got another job opportunity back in Texas. This job was the best yet. He worked on the new Samsung factory, near Taylor, but also spent time in Georgia, Tennessee and then mostly back in Texas.

Levi loved his parents and sisters immensely and they loved him. He cherished his “coffee time” with his Momma when his Dad was away for work and with both of them when Dad was home. Levi always accused his dad of sleeping with his boots on because he came out of his bedroom each morning fully dressed and, in his boots, “stomping” down the hall for morning coffee. It was a source of lighthearted ribbing that Levi was so good at. He visited often and called both parents regularly. He asked for advice and listened. He always ended his calls, texts, and visits with an “I Love You” and he meant it. His Momma prayed with him at the door of his pickup just before he would leave for his next adventure, whether it be for work, or play.

He is survived by his loving parents Levi and Juli Noguess, sisters LeAnne and Abby (Richard), Grandmothers Jacki Williams and Judy Murr, Uncles Jamie Noguess (Michele), Tanner Noguess (Joy), Mike Lovelace, Cody Murr, Casey Murr, and Colt Murr (Kristie). Aunts, Dena Board (Dennis), Dianna Murr, Amy Lovelace (Gilbert), Dori Cole (Wade), and Susan Murr. Great Aunt, Jane Precella (Michael) and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Levi was respectful and respected; wise and witty; quiet and loud, and such a joy to be around. He blessed everyone he met and was in turn blessed with a brotherhood of friends that include, Bob Harmon, Tom Abrams, Brant Wollard, Ethan Zly, Justin Randall, Michael Houston, Alex Leahy, and Jake Atkins, who have proven themselves as men of integrity to Levi and his family. Kindly forgive us if the family failed to mention anyone else who is equally important to Levi.

Levi’s final adventure was to his mansion in the sky where he came face to face with his Lord and Savior and those who had gone on before him July 13, 2023.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday July 20, 2023, at 11:00 am, Harker Heights Methodist Church, 208 West Cardinal Lane, Harker Heights, Texas 76548.

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