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Obituaries published in the August 2020 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.

James Armand Chionsini

Jimmy Chionsini died July 21, 2020, in Petoskey, Mich., near his home he shared with his wife of 26 years, Macy. 
Living on Round Lake in Charlevoix, Mich., was the place he wanted to be – in the summer. He spent his winters in San Angelo, Texas, and on the No Name Ranch.
He was born in Atlanta, Texas, May 19, 1946. He grew up in La Marque, Texas, with his parents, Emmanuel John Chionsini, Jr., and Dorothy Lynn Chionsini (McCoy). He has four sisters, Lynette Farmer, husband Les; Sheri Sheffield, husband Bucky; Lisa Chionsini, partner Ben; and Marla Dale, husband Chuck.
Prior to joining the U.S. Navy, Chionsini worked for his dad at A&A Machine shop in La Marque. After serving his country, he began working in the newspaper business for the Carmage Walls group, followed by Hartman Newspapers in towns from as far south as Laredo, Texas, to Presque Isle in northern Maine. 
With the help of many, in 1978 he ventured out to start his own newspaper group consisting of small-town papers that ultimately became Granite Publications.
He is survived by his four children, James Chionsini and his two children, Day and Helen; Brandi Chionsini, husband Scott Coleman, and her two children, Dylan and Maddie; Jennifer Cortez, husband Marc, and their four children, Hannah, Dominic, Evie and Kate her husband Michael; J.T. Maroney, wife Shelley, and their children, Ali and Kylie.
Chionsini loved his family and his country. He never met a stranger, and was the life of every party. His list of good friends would fill a telephone book. Jimmy lived a big life, and took those he knew and loved along with him on his ride. 
He always said, “You only go around once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”  
Jimmy did.
Macy plans to have two going away parties for Jimmy. One will be in San Angelo, and the other will be in Charlevoix, both at a later date.
Jimmy gave to many charities. A few of his favorites are the J. Harold Cheek Mammogram Fund he and Macy started at the Baylor Hospital Foundation in Dallas, Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Christoval and the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco.

Thelma Cardwell Cale

Pleasanton Express columnist and local artist Thelma Cardwell Cale, 87, died June 11.
A native of Pettus and graduate of Corpus Christi High School, she attended Southwestern University in Georgetown.
She had been a resident of Pleasanton since the early 1960s, when her first husband Dr. David Rankin Cardwell opened a veterinary practice there. 
Cardwell Cale was active in church, school and civic activities in the Pleasanton area for decades.
She began writing for the Pleasanton Express in 1974, sharing tips with readers on how to improve their artistic skills. An art teacher, she was a founding member of the Pleasanton Art Club, which brought many prominent artists to Pleasanton for demonstrations and events. The Art Club also sponsored the “Artist of the Month” in the Pleasanton Express, which showcased local artists for many years.
Cardwell Cale designed artwork for festivals and events she helped organize, including the Yesteryear Festival at the Pleasanton Museum. Her artwork was chosen by H-E-B for the stores’ signature shopping bags. In lieu of pay for the use of her art on the H-E-B bags, she requested the company print her coloring books for South Texas school children. More than 10,000 coloring books were printed and distributed to several South Texas elementary schools.
Following the death of her first husband, she married Charles Cale. They resided in two communities, Pleasanton and Santa Clara, which allowed her to broaden her art horizons as she joined the New Braunfels Art League and learned to paint with watercolors
In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, a great grandchild and other relatives.
Due to coronavirus restrictions, no service was held. A celebration of life is planned in the future.
Memorials may be donations to the Atascosa County Alternative School (Larry Brown School) in Jourdanton or to a charity of choice.