Former San Angelo Mayor Funk Passes Away

SAN ANGELO – Former San Angelo Mayor Dick Funk has passed away.  

Funk was an executive with GTE and a long time community supporter and activist.  According to news archives, Funk served as Mayor of San Angelo from 1987 to 1989 and from 1993 to 1997.

Here is his obituary: 

Richard D. Funk, former Mayor of San Angelo and long time executive of GTE, passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Dick was born the middle child, to William and Susan Howell Funk on May 14, 1931, in Carmen, Oklahoma. Growing up in Waynoka, OK, he had a passion for learning. He was an avid reader of materials he thought would teach him something new. As a teenager Dick worked for the railroad at night and went to school during the day.

After graduation from Waynoka High School, Dick went to the University of Oklahoma with hopes of being a walk-on for the football team. When that didn’t work out Dick joined the Navy. He was awarded an honorable discharge after a freak accident broke both of his ankles.

Dick started his business career working for the railroad in Kansas. That was where he met his future wife, Dorothy McNair Funk. They were married after a short courtship and transferred with the railroad company to San Angelo, TX.

In San Angelo Dick found better employment opportunities with GTE. He worked hard and advanced quickly. While Dick never earned a university degree he attended many college classes to help him excel at his job. Dick was very proud of the business deal he made that secured a contract between the new airport, DFW, and GTE. He retired in 1983 as GTE Vice President for the Southwest.

After retirement from GTE, Dick was kept busy with his consulting business. He also got into commercial real estate and dabbled in the oil business. He continued to be an active member of the San Angelo community. He was elected mayor for three terms. While serving as mayor, Dick was integral in getting the federal government to fix the leaking Twin Buttes Dam. He also went to Washington D.C. as Mayor to work on the Retention and Development of Goodfellow Air Force Base. Keven J. Barry, editor of the Standard Times, wrote of Dick, “Dick and Dottie have both made significant sacrifices on behalf of this community, and our community is better for having had him as our mayor.”

Dick was an active member of the San Angelo First Christian Church Disciples of Christ. He taught Sunday school for many years and served as and Elder for many years. His love of music led him to create The Shirley Robison Endowment for the church choir.

Dick was preceded in death by his siblings and his wife, Dottie. A memorial service honoring Dick will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, September 10, 2023 in the Fellowship Hall of the First Christian Church, 29 N Oakes St, San Angelo, TX.