Reynold Lee “R.L.” Hargroves, age 81, of Melvin, Texas passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. R.L., as he was known by family and friends, was born July 15, 1940 in San Angelo, Texas to Linard Clayton Hargroves and Bernice Adele (Malmstrom) Hargroves. He was a Melvin High School graduate in 1958 and attended Junior College in Big Spring. He moved back to Melvin to help his dad who owned and operated a Texaco service station in Melvin in the early 60’s. It was here he developed a passion for fixing cars and working on hot rods. His pride was his 1959 Impala. It has now been completely restored and was his pride and joy. On September 10, 1960, he married Carolyn Williams in Brady, Texas. R.L. farmed and ranched all of his life and was a custom harvester for over 60 years. He harvested in the Panhandle, Central Texas, and on the Gulf Coast. Some years, he traveled as far north as Montana to harvest wheat. In the summers, R.L. would hire high school boys and take them on harvest teaching them the value of hard work. He mentored many boys and men over the years, and most say it was the most valuable experience of their lives. He was a member of the U.S. Custom Harvesters Association, Assistant Fire Chief of the Melvin Volunteer Fire Department for over 60 years, a committee member of the McCulloch County Friends of the NRA, and a Board Member of the Melvin Cemetery Association. He was a member of the Melvin Evangelical Free Church where he served as a Deacon. He was lifelong resident of Melvin and was always willing to help friends and neighbors when needed.
Funeral services for Reynold Lee “R.L.” Hargroves will be Monday, December 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Leatherwood Memorial Chapels in Brady with Reverend Bardin Striegler and Reverend Mark Nygard officiating. Interment will follow at the Melvin Cemetery in Melvin.
The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6 to 8 at Leatherwood Memorial Chapels. Friends may view R.L.’s Memorial Video Tribute and/or sign his online memorial guest book at www.leatherwoodmemorialchapels.com.
Pallbearers will be Wayne O’Briant, Ceth Holubec, Chris James, Paul Estrada, Bill Lopez, Pete Servin, Larry Donop, Gerald Malmstrom, and Charlie Pfluger.
R.L. is survived by his loving wife of over 61 years, Carolyn Hargroves of Melvin, TX; son Curtis Hargroves and wife Cristi of Melvin, TX; daughter Sharolyn Dihigo and husband Nick of Grand Prairie, TX; grandchildren Darby Robinson, Rachel Cassi Hargroves, Dylan Hargroves and Michael Dihigo. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial contributions in memory of Reynold Lee “R.L.” Hargroves may be made to Melvin Evangelical Free Church, 704 South Noyes, Melvin, TX 76858 and/or Melvin Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 874, Melvin, TX 76858.