Z. DRONES

A.Z. Drones Jr. was born to Mr. A. Z.  and Mrs. Ruth Drones on December 7, 1945 in San Angelo, TX. He attended Hammond Elementary School. After that he attended Blackshear Jr. High where he played basketball, football and summer baseball. He graduated from Central High School in 1964 where he was a basketball starter for 2 years and won the State Championship his 11th grade year. He also played football and was All-District and All-State in 11th grade and All-American in the 12th grade. He and Warren McVea were the first black athletes to play in the Texas High School Coaches All-Star Game in 1964 at Amon Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX.

He was awarded a scholarship to the University of Missouri and then went on to West Texas State (West Texas A&M University) where he was a starting tackle and played in The Tournament of Roses Parade. He was also part of the charter chapter Omega Psi Phi’s Omega Gamma Chapter. In 1968, he was drafted to the Los Angeles Rams and later on went to the Canadian Football League.

A.Z. was the first black manager in Burk-Burnett, TX for Lone Star Gas. He retired from Atmos Energy as the Manager of Public Affairs after 38 years. He also retired from Tarrant County College after 30 years of service. He was an avid golfer and joined The Golden Tee on June 19, 2008. He was over the souvenir and goody bag committee.

He met and married the love of his life Charolette Jones and they celebrated 35 years of Holy Matrimony. Through this union was born his son A. Z. Drones III. He is also the father of Natasha Worboys of Luton, England.

A.Z. was preceded in death by his parents A.Z. Drones Sr., and Ruth Drones; siblings, Eddie Lee White, Deroy Drones, C.J. Drones, Effie Lee Drones, Jessie Lee Drones, Alvin Drones and Charles Drones. He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife Charolette; children Natasha Worboys, A.Z. Drones III, Alicia Morales and Benjamin Morales; brothers, Frank (Dorothy) Drones of Abilene, TX and Jerry (Jo-Rita) Drones of League City, TX; aunt, Cassie Nolan of Oxnard, CA and Alma Tate of Richmond, TX; 8 grandchildren, his great-granddaughter; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.