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July 22, 2026
Career Milestones

At Legacy Funeral Group, we know that a career in funeral service is more than a profession, it's a lifelong commitment to serving families with compassion and care. This year, we are proud to recognize three remarkable team members whose decades of dedication have made a lasting impact on the communities they serve and on our Legacy family. Please join us in congratulating Jack Sawyer, Bill Vallie, and Andy High as they celebrate incredible career milestones.

Team Bios
Portrait of Jack Sawyer

Jack Sawyer

60 Years of Service

Jack Sawyer is being honored for an extraordinary 60 years of service in the funeral profession. Licensed as a funeral director in 1966 and an embalmer in 1967, Jack has devoted his career to serving families across South Texas. As co-founder of SawyerGeorge Funeral Home, he helped build a respected funeral home that has served the Corpus Christi community for decades and today continues to serve families as a Funeral Director & Embalmer with Legacy Funeral Group. Throughout his distinguished career, Jack has been recognized with numerous honors, including South Texas Funeral Director of the Year, Texas Funeral Director of the Year, and the Texas Funeral Directors Association Lifetime Achievement Award. His unwavering dedication to funeral service, professional leadership, and compassionate care has left an enduring legacy that continues today.

Portrait of Bill Vallie

Bill Vallie

50 Years of Service

Bill Vallie is being recognized for an incredible 50 years in funeral service. After beginning his career in the early 1970s and graduating from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1976, Bill has held numerous leadership positions throughout West Texas, including General Manager, Area Manager, Regional Manager, and today serves as General Manager of Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home in Odessa. Throughout his career, Bill has remained dedicated to serving families firsthand, continuing to make arrangements, direct services, and embalm even while leading operations. His influence extends beyond Legacy through decades of service with the Texas Funeral Directors Association, including serving as President. Bill has also represented Texas on the National Funeral Directors Association and advocated for the profession through legislative work.

Portrait of Andy High

Andy High

25 Years of Service

Andy High is celebrating 25 years in funeral service, a career that began in 1999 while completing his education in funeral service. Over the past two and a half decades, he has served in a variety of leadership roles, including Funeral Director & Embalmer, Location Manager, General Manager, Senior General Manager, Area Vice President, and now Regional Manager overseeing Legacy locations across Alabama and Florida. Outside of funeral service, Andy also served three terms as the elected Coroner of Lauderdale County, Alabama, becoming the youngest Coroner ever elected in the state at the time. His commitment to servant leadership, professional excellence, and supporting both families and employees has made a lasting impact throughout his career.

Congratulations to Jack, Bill, and Andy on these well-earned milestones. Your unwavering commitment to serving families, mentoring others, and advancing the funeral profession is an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for your many years of service, leadership, and the lasting difference you've made throughout your careers. We are honored to celebrate this achievement with you.

More From Legacy

Welcome David Holleman, Chief Financial Officer & Vice President

July 30, 2026
We are pleased to welcome David Holleman to Legacy as our new Chief Financial Officer & Vice President. In this role, David will oversee the company's financial operations and serve as a member of Legacy's executive leadership team.

Legacy Welcomes Shafer Mortuary Services & Furrever Pet Crematory

July 22, 2026
Legacy Funeral Group is proud to announce the addition of Shafer Mortuary Services and Furrever Pet Crematory in Amarillo, Texas, to the Legacy Family. Founded by Eric and Candice Shafer, Shafer Mortuary Services has built a reputation for providing compassionate, affordable funeral and cremation services while remaining deeply committed to the families and community they serve. This acquisition is especially significant as it marks Legacy’s first mortuary service and pet crematory. Shafer Mortuary Services supports other funeral homes by providing local transportation, preparation, embalming, cremation, and other essential mortuary services throughout West Texas. Furrever Pet Crematory is an extension of Shafer Mortuary Services that brings care, guidance, and helpful support to families who are experiencing the loss of a beloved pet. We are honored to welcome the Shafer team along with Anthony Shafer to the Legacy Family. Anthony is the son of Eric and Candance Shafer who will remain in the business and further his education in the funeral profession. Their commitment to excellence, integrity, and service aligns perfectly with Legacy's mission of caring for families with compassion, professionalism, and respect. Please join us in welcoming the employees of Shafer Mortuary Services and Furrever Pet Crematory to the Legacy Family.

Funeral Director of the Year – Texas Funeral Directors Association

July 17, 2026
We are proud to announce that Noe Gonzalez, Managing Funeral Director of Turcotte-Piper Mortuary in Kingsville, Texas has been named Funeral Director of the Year by the Texas Funeral Directors Association (TFDA). This prestigious award celebrates funeral professionals who exemplify outstanding leadership, integrity, service, and dedication to both the families they serve and the funeral profession as a whole. For those who know Noe, this recognition comes as no surprise. For more than five decades, Noe has devoted his career to caring for families with compassion, professionalism, and respect. His steady leadership and genuine care have earned the trust of countless families and the admiration of colleagues across the state of Texas. Please join us in congratulating Noe on this well-deserved achievement. We are honored to have him as part of the Legacy Family and grateful for the example he sets every day. Congratulations, Noe, on being named the Texas Funeral Directors Association Funeral Director of the Year!

Welcome Mary Kay Cole, Human Resource Manager

July 16, 2026
We are excited to welcome Mary Kay Cole to the Legacy Family as our new Human Resources Manager. Mary Kay brings more than 18 years of progressive human resources experience, having supported manufacturing, industrial, and service organizations throughout her career. She has a strong track record of partnering with leadership to build high-performing teams, foster employee growth, and implement practical HR strategies that support both employees and organizational success.

Welcome Our Summer Interns

June 18, 2026
Legacy Funeral Group is pleased to welcome two student interns to our home office team this summer. We are excited to provide them with hands-on experience while they learn more about the funeral profession and the many areas that support the families we serve.

Taylor Mendoza Named TFDA’s Panhandle Young Professional of the Year

May 5, 2026
Please congratulate Taylor Mendoza on being named Young Professional of the Year for the Panhandle Chapter of the Texas Funeral Directors Association. A licensed funeral director and embalmer for nearly seven years, Taylor began her career at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland and now serves families in Lubbock as a funeral director and embalmer at Combest Family Funeral Homes. She has become a respected and valued member of the funeral service community, known for her compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the families she serves. Beyond her daily role, Taylor has made a meaningful impact on the profession, serving on the Panhandle Funeral Director Association Board and advocating for the industry. She also recently founded the No Whispers Foundation, which supports families facing unexpected loss and helps cover funeral costs for child victims, ensuring no family navigates tragedy alone. Help us congratulate Taylor on this exciting and well-deserved honor.

Chelsea Henderson Named TFDA’s West Texas Funeral Director of the Year

May 5, 2026
Chelsea Henderson Named TFDA’s West Texas Funeral Director of the Year We are proud to share that Chelsea Henderson has been named Funeral Director of the Year for the West Texas Chapter by the Texas Funeral Directors Association. This honor recognizes individuals who exemplify compassion, professionalism, and a true commitment to serving families. Chelsea embodies these qualities in every aspect of her work. She currently serves families as a funeral director at Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home in Odessa, where her care and dedication make a meaningful difference each day. After raising her two children, Chelsea pursued her calling in funeral service, earning her degree in Mortuary Science from Northeast Texas Community College. During her studies, she faced the devastating loss of her son, yet returned with remarkable strength and determination, achieving Phi Beta Kappa honors. What sets Chelsea apart is the way she serves others. With quiet strength, compassion, and grace, she supports families through some of life’s most difficult moments, offering comfort and clarity when it’s needed most. Her commitment to lifelong learning, her devotion to her community, and her servant’s heart make her a shining example of what it means to be a funeral director. Please join us in congratulating Chelsea on this well-deserved recognition.

Jaime Trevino Named TFDA’s South Texas Embalmer of the Year

May 5, 2026
Jaime Trevino of Charlie Marshall Funeral Home has been named Embalmer of the Year for the South Texas Chapter of the Texas Funeral Directors Association. With more than three decades in funeral service, Jaime is known for his technical expertise, steady leadership, and deep commitment to the families he serves. A third-generation funeral professional and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he has been licensed since 1988 and has dedicated his career to upholding the highest standards of care. Throughout his career, Jaime has taken on roles that extend beyond daily service, including mentoring others in the profession and serving as a clinical instructor for future funeral professionals. Since joining Legacy in 2017, he has continued his work at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home in Aransas Pass, where his attention to detail and pride in his work are evident in every case he handles. Jaime served as a member of the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT). In this role, he had the profound honor and responsibility of caring for many of the children of Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, an experience that reflects both his professional skill and his deep compassion during times of unimaginable loss. Congratulations to Jaime on this well-earned recognition.

Noe Gonzalez Named TFDA’s South Texas Funeral Director of the Year

May 5, 2026
Noe Gonzalez of Turcotte-Piper Mortuary has been named Funeral Director of the Year for the South Texas Chapter of the Texas Funeral Directors Association. With more than 50 years in funeral service, Noe is widely respected for his knowledge, craftsmanship, and unwavering dedication to the families he serves. He became a licensed funeral director in 1974 and an embalmer in 1976, building a career defined by excellence, compassion, and professionalism. Over the years, Noe has served in a variety of roles across South Texas. His experience also extends beyond funeral service, with 12 years spent in law enforcement, reflecting a lifelong commitment to serving others. Since joining Legacy in 2014, Noe has served as managing Funeral Director of Turcotte-Piper Mortuary in Kingsville, where he oversees daily operations and continues to provide thoughtful, professional care to every family. He is also the founder of the Kingsville Día de los Muertos celebration, a meaningful community event that has grown significantly over the years. This recognition reflects a lifetime of service, leadership, and dedication to the profession. Congratulations Noe!

Welcome David Holleman, Chief Financial Officer & Vice President

July 30, 2026
We are pleased to welcome David Holleman to Legacy as our new Chief Financial Officer & Vice President. In this role, David will oversee the company's financial operations and serve as a member of Legacy's executive leadership team.

Legacy Welcomes Shafer Mortuary Services & Furrever Pet Crematory

July 22, 2026
Legacy Funeral Group is proud to announce the addition of Shafer Mortuary Services and Furrever Pet Crematory in Amarillo, Texas, to the Legacy Family. Founded by Eric and Candice Shafer, Shafer Mortuary Services has built a reputation for providing compassionate, affordable funeral and cremation services while remaining deeply committed to the families and community they serve. This acquisition is especially significant as it marks Legacy’s first mortuary service and pet crematory. Shafer Mortuary Services supports other funeral homes by providing local transportation, preparation, embalming, cremation, and other essential mortuary services throughout West Texas. Furrever Pet Crematory is an extension of Shafer Mortuary Services that brings care, guidance, and helpful support to families who are experiencing the loss of a beloved pet. We are honored to welcome the Shafer team along with Anthony Shafer to the Legacy Family. Anthony is the son of Eric and Candance Shafer who will remain in the business and further his education in the funeral profession. Their commitment to excellence, integrity, and service aligns perfectly with Legacy's mission of caring for families with compassion, professionalism, and respect. Please join us in welcoming the employees of Shafer Mortuary Services and Furrever Pet Crematory to the Legacy Family.

Funeral Director of the Year – Texas Funeral Directors Association

July 17, 2026
We are proud to announce that Noe Gonzalez, Managing Funeral Director of Turcotte-Piper Mortuary in Kingsville, Texas has been named Funeral Director of the Year by the Texas Funeral Directors Association (TFDA). This prestigious award celebrates funeral professionals who exemplify outstanding leadership, integrity, service, and dedication to both the families they serve and the funeral profession as a whole. For those who know Noe, this recognition comes as no surprise. For more than five decades, Noe has devoted his career to caring for families with compassion, professionalism, and respect. His steady leadership and genuine care have earned the trust of countless families and the admiration of colleagues across the state of Texas. Please join us in congratulating Noe on this well-deserved achievement. We are honored to have him as part of the Legacy Family and grateful for the example he sets every day. Congratulations, Noe, on being named the Texas Funeral Directors Association Funeral Director of the Year!