Earl “Big Earl” Linwood Cheney, Jr.

Earl “Big Earl” Linwood Cheney, Jr., of Pittsburg, Texas was born August 12, 1950, in Gladewater to Earl Linwood Cheney, Sr. and Lillian Matilda Brisco Cheney and passed away in a Longview hospital on March 1, 2023.

Mr. Cheney served in the United States Navy for 21 years and the United States Air Force for five years. He was a Christian and a member of the Frank Sexton Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and Sharon Shrine, where he also was a Shrine clown. He loved to fish and the outdoors, and especially enjoyed his time and visiting with the people at his restaurants, Big Earl’s and Fort Sherman Depot. The family finds comfort in the belief that “When you take your last breath on earth, you take your first breath in Heaven”.

Mr. Cheney is survived by his wife, Deborah Cheney of Pittsburg; sons, Tre Cheney of Tyler, John Mark Cheney of Bullard, Kevin Tindel of Arlington; daughters, Crystal Kilchrist of Mississippi and Christina Tolar of Ft. Worth; many grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; sisters, Sonoma Davis of Houston, and Dorothy Holder of Spring.

He is preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Jimmy Cheney, Elaine Mathis, Earlene Jones, Jean Carlton, Charlsey McKenna, and Brenda Davis.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2023 at Erman Smith Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Pittsburg. Pallbearers will be Rick Toland, Tim Hiltzman, Carl Moss, Perry Threadgill, David Threadgill, and Paul Davis. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday between 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Attn: Shriners Hospitals for Children PO Box 947765 Atlanta, GA 30394