Mike McNallen, 83, of Possum Kingdom, passed away in Dallas, on Aug. 27, surrounded by family. A funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, Aug. 30, in the Melton-Kitchens Chapel of Memories in Breckenridge, with Father Francis Miller officiating. His interment in the Breckenridge Cemetery was under the direction of Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home.

Mike McNallen was born on Sept. 1, 1938, to parents Gerald and Christine McNallen, in Gorman. Mike graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1956 and then attended the University of North Texas to pursue a degree in Music Education. While at UNT, he performed in the One O’clock Lab Band. Mike eventually transferred to Sul Ross to complete his Music Education degree. After his graduation in 1961, he secured a position teaching at the Bloomfield and Aztec ISDs for over 20 years. Upon his retirement, Mike and his family relocated back to his hometown of Breckenridge. Mike and his family purchased Possum Hollow, and together they ran the camp and restaurant for over 43 years. Managing Possum Hollow with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law was one of his highest priorities. After his wife, Verdene, passed away, Mike continued to run the family business on Possum Kingdom Lake with his daughter and son-in-law up until a few days before his passing.

Outside of his Catholic faith, music and his family were two things in life that he dearly cherished. Prior to his passing, Mike could always be found in the restaurant greeting patrons as they enjoyed a meal. From a young age, Mike was taught what commitment, education, and hard work were all about; and as an adult, neither his age nor any situation ever kept him from forgetting those core values he was taught as a kid.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Christine, along with his wife, Verdene Cody McNallen. He is survived by his daughters, Tracie Bittle and husband Jim of Possum Kingdom Lake, and Kimberly McNallen of Graham; sister, Geraldine Catanach and husband Gilbert of Santa Fe, N.M.; brother, Stephen McNallen and wife Shiela of Grass Valley, Calif.; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Jeri Rymer and Linda Dartez; brother-in-law, Randy Cody; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; as well as many lifelong friends in and around the Possum Kingdom and Breckenridge areas.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that memorial donations honoring Mike be sent to Christ the King Catholic Church in Lafayette, La., via PayPal (brothersassisi@gmail.com) or through Venmo (337-278-4655). Memorials by check may be left at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. Condolences can be made online at meltonkitchens.com.