Carl Albert "Ret." Lt. Col. USAF

Lt. Col., Carl A. Wyrick USAF (Ret.), 91, of Big Spring, TX passed away on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Services will be at 11:00 am, Monday, September 22 at Hillcrest Baptist Church. Interment with Goodfellow Air Force Honor Guard will follow at Coahoma Cemetery off of 11th Place Extension.

Carl was born on December 4, 1933 in Rusk, Texas to Roy and Willa Wyrick. He grew up in Coahoma, TX and graduated from high school in 1952. He entered Howard County Junior College that fall. He began his distinguished military career when he enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Training Program in February 1954. Spanning 24 years, he retired from the Air Force in February 1978 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Some of his decorations and awards were the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air MedaI with 4 OLCs, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 OLC, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 campaign stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 3 OLCs, National Defense Service Medal with 1 star (Korea and Vietnam) and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After retirement from the Air Force, Carl flew 22 years (1978-2000) for Duncan Drilling Co, flying the Beech C-90 and the Beechcraft Super King Air 200. Most of this flying was in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Carl married Janice Brooks in 1954. This union produced his two oldest daughters, Lynda Kaye and Brynda Frances. In April of 1967, he married Carol Monroe. They had a daughter, Cheri Ann, in 1969. They were married for 40 wonderful years when Carol succumbed to cancer in May of 2007. Subsequently, Carl was so blessed to find love in later life with Vonna Mae Springfield. They had attended school together in Coahoma and reconnected after both of their spouses lost their battles with cancer. They married in October of 2009 and spent 15 blissfully happy years together, where they traveled, went camping, rode Harley Davidson motorcycles, participated in chili cookoffs, and spent time with friends in the Big Bend mountains.

Carl's personality was larger than life! He was often described as "one of a kind". He rarely met a stranger and had a heart of gold. He was passionate about his family, his country, and his friends.

Carl is survived by his wife Vonna Mae Wyrick, and children Cheri Reibe (Tim), Lynda Wood (Mike), Brynda Brooks, Rocky Massengale (Hilda), Kelley Massengale, and Drew Massengale. He also leaves behind five grandchildren (Carson, Renee, Tina, Dustin, and Albert), six great-grandchildren (Zach, Zeke, Eli, Nickole, Cathryn, Jeffrey) and three great-great grandchildren (Renyn, Oakleigh, Rhyder) and his brother Tommy Wyrick.

He is preceded in death by his parents Roy and Willa Wyrick, his brother Roy Wyrick Jr. and sister Mary Beth Wyrick, and wives Janice Brooks and Carol Wyrick.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo and Gentiva Hospice of Midland, and also to PA Ryan Williams of Big Spring. They provided excellent care for Carl on several occasions.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com

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