George Walton "Bud" Poage, Jr.

George Walton “Bud” Poage, Jr., passed away peacefully in Rankin, Texas on March 26, 2025. He was born July 10th, 1941, to Walton Poage and Helen Elrod Poage in San Angelo, Texas. He was raised in the ranching and rodeo culture of West Texas and was very proud of his heritage.

Bud graduated from Rankin High School and Sul Ross State University. Following his education and his time in the U.S. Army as a tank gunner, Bud returned to his beloved Rankin, his home for 83 years, where he ranched for the rest of his life. To make ends meet, Bud took a temporary teaching and coaching job at Rankin ISD, which turned into ten years. Bud kept in touch and followed the lives of many of his former students. He was also a board member at the First State Bank of Rankin for over 40 years.

His passion, however, born of generations, was livestock and ranching. During his life he ranched throughout the Southwest. He was never at home anywhere like he was on the ranch, checking on his livestock with his dogs in the pickup with him, sharing his Fritos.

By the time Bud settled back in Rankin, A young lady from Monahans had taken a teaching job there. That lady was Nancy Porter, but she was soon Nancy Poage, and they shared the next 60 years together, through thick and thin. She was the love of his life. They built a home in Rankin and were devoted to one another and to their family and friends. They lived on the same block as Bud’s parents and provided excellent care for them during their elder years. They had many, many friends and their house had an open-door policy. Over the years, they were active in the Methodist Church, Upton County 4-H Club, the Rankin Museum Board and local government, and tried to help as many people as they could. They had one son, George Walton “Trey” Poage, III and dedicated their lives to his upbringing, wearing out many trucks and trailers hauling him and his finewool lambs to livestock shows. But if you knew Bud, you know that many of the trucks and trailers were worn out when he got them, and there’s absolutely no telling what he traded for them.

Like Bud, Trey married up, and Nicole Johnson became their daughter-in-law in 1999. Bud and Nicole shared a very close bond. Grandson Grayson, and twin granddaughters Claire and Audrianna soon arrived, and Bud and Nancy continued their travels in support of all thing grandkid. Like he did for Trey, Bud instilled a love for the land and livestock in his grandchildren, insuring his legacy will be carried on.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Walton and Helen Poage, and his sister and brother-in-law, Genevieve and Gentry Holmes. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy Poage of Rankin; his son and daughter-in-law Trey and Nicole Poage of Marble Falls; and Grandchildren Grayson, Claire and Audri Poage, all of Marble Falls. He is also survived by his beloved cousins Teed Boyd, Bobbie Boyd, Billie Farr, Alice Hickerson, Ellen Mosher and Dr. Thomas Elrod. Pallbearers are Grayson Poage, Shot Branham, Dylan Carroll, Rusty Cooper, Randy Cooper and David Porter.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 29th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Rankin Methodist Church, 801 Halff Street, Rankin, Texas.

Funeral Services will be Sunday, March 30th at 1:00 p.m. at Rankin Methodist with graveside service and interment to follow at Rankin Cemetery. All are invited to a reception at the church following the graveside service.