Virgil Tindall

Virgil Ross Tindall was born on July 5, 1938, in Cranfills Gap, Texas to Binous and Myrle (Grimland) Tindall. He was redeemed by the waters of baptism and grew up in the Gap, attending school, playing Lion football, and working hard at the family farm and local drug store and movie theater. Virgil could be found most afternoons dipping ice cream at the soda fountain for all. 

While a classmate of Betty Jenson from the first grade on, it wasn’t until his senior year that the pretty cheerleader caught his eye. Although she thought she’d been stood up on their first date, Betty gave him another chance after learning he had wrecked the family car on the winding Norse roads to pick her up. Forgiven, the two were inseparable from that point on. Virgil and Betty attended Tarleton State University. They were married on December 27, 1956, beginning a 68 year union that was built on faith, family, and love. 

Following graduation from The University of Texas in Austin with a degree in engineering, Virgil and Betty, along with their daughter Michele, moved to Baltimore for a job with Westinghouse, and they were joined by Lisa. Soon, the family settled in Dallas where Virgil began a career at Texas Instruments, mostly in military design. Stephanie and Ross came along and the family led a life of many adventures. Whether it be working cows, hunting, fishing, skiing, or camping, Virgil was the family’s fearless leader throughout it all. While Virgil worked at Texas Instruments, and Betty taught in Plano, the whole family looked forward to memories and adventures at the Tindall Ranch back in Cranfills Gap. 

Throughout his life, Virgil displayed the pioneer blood of his family roots. His great-grandfather, William Pike Tindall, was a San Jacinto veteran and this tenacity was passed on to Virgil. Whether it was working at the Pentagon, testing rockets on Navy ships, all while managing a family and a ranch, Virgil always met the challenge. He might be plowing after dark using headlights on Sunday, but would make it back to Dallas to fly out Monday morning for a meeting in D.C. There was always something to do, and Virgil did it all, including having a servant’s heart for his community. A member of St.Olaf Lutheran Church, he served as congregational president and was active on several boards. When Betty took on the enormous project of managing the restoration of the Ringness House Museum with the Bosque County Norwegian group, Virgil was her biggest supporter and competent handyman. Besides serving on the board at Cranfills Gap school, he and Betty ardently supported their children’s education and extended that gift of learning to their grandchildren. 

His biggest enjoyment could be found when he was surrounded by family and friends. Numerous family vacations, fishing excursions and many family gatherings complete with a lavish meal were customary within the Tindall family. Virgil would lead all in prayer at these gatherings, his faith evident as he was sure to petition a blessing for those present, as well as those absent, thank the Good Lord for His gifts of family and food, and always ask for sins to be pardoned. 

Among his many hobbies, Virgil loved making furniture and fixing things. At a young age he would disassemble and reassemble appliances like the toaster, waffle iron, and radio. One look at his accumulation of tools attested he was a lifelong learner of all things mechanical. He loved to hunt and fish, and faithfully rooted on his Longhorns and Cowboys. 

Virgil fully enjoyed the Creator’s creation -- Whether traveling the fjords of Norway, catching salmon in Alaska, riding trains through the Rockies, or relaxing at the beach surrounded by his family, Virgil was always grateful for his days on earth. But he was most at home with his many years of “retirement” in Cranfills Gap. Whether he was in the truck, on the tractor, or riding the Gator, Virgil cherished his time on the farm, spending time with Betty, raising cattle, and looking forward to the next visit from his family and friends. Virgil knew he was a blessed man, and in turn he was a blessing to all who knew him. 

Virgil went to meet his Heavenly Father on October 3, 2025. He is preceded in death by his parents, Binous and Myrle and sister Katherine Ann. His love and his legacy will be cherished by his devoted wife, Betty. and their children -- Michele (Tindall) and Alan Fox, Lisa (Tindall) and Bill Murray, Stephanie (Tindall) and Keith Goedecke, Virgil Ross Tindall Jr. and Cregg Moody, eleven grandchildren -- Kirsti, Joshua, Meghan, Tristan, Michael, Becca, Emily, Lizzie, Stuart, Shane, and Kyle, thirteen great-grandchildren, numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends. 

Memorial Service for Virgil Ross Tindall will be held at Saint Olaf Lutheran Church in Cranfills Gap on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 10:00 o’clock a.m. Burial will follow the Memorial Service at the Rock Church Cemetery in Norse. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Thursday, October 9, 2025 at Clifton Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Saint Olaf Lutheran Church (saintolaflutheran.org) or to the Ringness House Museum (ringnesshouse.org).