Farrel Dwight Nortrup, Jr.

Farrel Dwight Nortrup, Jr., peacefully met his heavenly Lord on Pentecost Sunday, May 19, 2024, at the age of 81 (born 11/5/42), following a short illness.  He was a loving and devoted husband to Charon for 61 years, and a dedicated father to his children, Terry and David.  

Best known as Dwight, he and Charon became permanent residents of San Benito 31 years ago, and were regular members within the local Methodist community.  He worked in a small number of managerial positions in the Lower Rio Grande Valley before settling into the ownership of his own warehouse supply and installation business, Northwind Installs, with extensive office assistance from Charon in the office.  

Dwight was born in Peoria IL, and was later raised in Stronghurst, IL, graduating from Stronghurst HS in 1960, with subsequent education at Gale Institute in Minneapolis.    Shortly thereafter, he married his high school sweetheart, while working for W.R. Grace in Meredosia, IL.  Dwight accepted a Grace transfer to manage a facility near Fort Dodge, IA, where Terry was born, and then moved nearby to Duncombe, IA, followed by David’s birth.  Through their boys’ formative years, they lived in Blandinsville, IL, near their own childhood home and both sets of parents, where Dwight & Charon owned their own Amoco fuel/oil jobber business supplying local farmers and townspeople.  They grew their business substantially, eventually including a full-service gas station and 2 new convenience stores.  After the boys left high school, the new adventure and career started in deep south TX.  

Dwight’s greatest hobby was swinging woods and irons in numerous and varied golf courses, and he was a dedicated member and past president of the Blandinsville Country Club at Twin Oaks Golf Course, where he also delighted in teaching his boys golf (even letting the boys drive the golf cart he suped-up).  He continued his love of golf all over The Valley, most always with friends, even playing this year nearing his recent illness.  Dwight was also a longtime gun sportsman, once placing high on the Amateur Trapshooting Association’s Grand American (Nationals) leaderboard in the early 70’s.  For many years he was a league bowler, and he loved to play billiards with TX friends and his visiting boys.  

Dwight thoroughly loved vacationing with Charon across numerous US locations (often in a motorhome), including Hawaii and Bermuda trips.   He also often taught the boys’ life lessons by including them in his businesses’ activities and customer trips.  Dwight and Charon thoroughly enjoyed the company of many other couples’ dinners, get-togethers, and similar events, including a number of years as an Elks Club member.  And they annually travelled back to their home stomping grounds in central Illinois to visit with their children, extended family, and longtime friends and acquaintances.  

Dwight was preceded in death by his parents, Farrel Dwight Nortrup, Sr. and Margaret Ellen (nee Bacon), his parents-in-law, Charles Waldo Johnson and Anna Jane (nee Sea), and various aunts and uncles.  

Dwight is survived by his wife, Charon Lynn (nee Johnson) and their children Terry Lee (Beth) and David Dwight, and grandchildren Devin & Ryley (David’s) and Charles (Terry’s). He is further survived by his younger brothers, John T (Mary Lue) and Jerry L (Lou Ann), nieces, nephews, and Aunt “Sis” Virginia Hinners, and various cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.