Walter Francis Moffett
1930-2014
Walter Francis Moffett, 83, passed from this life on Wednesday, May 7. He was born in Medina on Nov. 25, 1930, to Leo Elinor Keese Moffett and William Enoch Moffett.
Known by family and friends as "Inky," he loved his family and friends. He also loved the Lord and was a member of the Church of Christ.
Inky was baptized in 1950 prior to enlisting in the United States Navy. He served during the Korean Conflict and later in the US Naval Reserves. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Aside than serving in the navy and attending school in Houston, Inky lived his entire life in Bandera County.
He worked at the Bandera Electric Cooperative until 1974 and had fond memories of the friendships he developed there.
A most selfless, kind and gentle person, Inky lived his life by following the greatest commandment in the law as well as by following the second as set forth in Matthew 22:36-39. However, instead of "loving your neighbor as yourself," Inky loved others more.
He is survived by Catherine, his beloved wife of 58 years; daughter Deborah Moffett Pipes and her husband John R.; sons, Stephen Carl Moffett and Darrell Walter Moffett; three special grandsons, Kristofor John Pipes; Stephen Carl Moffett, Jr. and his wife, Kim; and Albert Jacob Moffett; five great-grandchildren, Collin Moffett, Adrian Moffett, Jacob Moffett, Kylie Moffett, and Klaire Anna Pipes; sisters, Sylvia Wilson, Evelyn Reese, Elaine Crouch, Winifred Thomas and Delores Uribe; and brother Lawrence Moffett.
He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Maurice Moffett, Carl Moffett and Richard Moffett.
Services with military honors were held Saturday, May 10, at the Oak Rest cemetery in Medina with Mark Fender officiating. Pallbearers were Raymond Batto, Russell Vanderzee, Ron Barton, Shawn Faglie, Scott Faglie and Josh Faglie.
Timothy 4:7: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith ..."
Jimmy LaDale Starks
1943-2014
Jimmy LaDale Starks, 71, of Bandera passed away suddenly on Tuesday, April 22, at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. He was born on March 31, 1943 in Delhi, Louisiana, to Frank Emmit Starks and Sybil Beatrice Hale Starks.
Jim graduated from high school in Morgan City, Louisiana. As a Reconnaissance Marine, he proudly served his country during the Cuban missile crisis. A lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he was a current member of the Kerrville VFW Post 1480. In Jim's words, "Once a Marine, a Marine forever."
He worked in the oil industry for 35-plus years as a drilling foreman. The oil field was his passion and life's work. Few men possessed both the knowledge of drilling and the ability to get a drilling crew to perform at their best and beat the curve. Jim loved a challenge and, during his long career, set notable drilling records.
Additionally, when he was on a rig, he took responsibility for every man's life. It became Jim's mission to return every man safely home to his family. During his career, he worked all over the world - the Gulf of Mexico, Scotland, Africa, France and South America.
Jim was a man of his word. When he gave his word, he meant it.
A proud father, he spoke often and very highly of his children and grandchildren. Jim loved to have his family visit him in Bandera. Bandera became home not only to Jim but also his children, who referred to Bandera as their "happy place."
He was a man's man with a tender heart. Those who knew Jim loved the kind, respectful and generous man beyond his strong exterior. He was a loyal friend who always had your back.
In addition to his great love for his family and friends, Jim loved Texas - especially riding around the Texas Hill Country.
Those left to celebrate his life and continue his legacy include daughters, Paige Starks LaCombe and her husband, David, of Alexandria, Louisiana; Ellen Starks Beach and her husband, Spencer, of Bentonville, Arkansas; son John Emmit Starks and his wife, Brenda, of Natchitoches, Louisiana; grandchildren, John Ethan Starks, Anna Marie LaCombe, Ellie Grace Starks, Michael Lee LaCombe and Eliana Elizabeth Beach; sisters, Eliane Starks of New Iberia, Louisiana and Paughnee Starks Bornert of Springfield, Missouri; and brothers of his heart, Jim Robertson of Bandera and Bill Sprott of Corpus Christi.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Sybil Starks.
Bandera funeral services were held at Grimes Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, April 26, with Jim's son-in-law, Spencer Beach officiating.
On Tuesday, April 29, funeral services were held at the First Assembly of God in Alexandria, Louisiana, also officiated by Spencer Beach. Interment followed at Alexandria Memorial Gardens in Alexandria, under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Ethan Starks, Scott Daigle, Brady Daigle, Chris Ebarb, Darrick Sketoe and Brent Mercer with honorary pallbearers, Jim Robertson, Dave Riley, Bill Sprott, Ricky Robertson, Mark Ward, Bob Simmons, Terry Bunce, Gary Wright, Delton Sturgis, John Miller, Luke Alford and Too Tall Tom Dethrow.
Arrangements were entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
Leslie Keith Mansfield
1952-2014
Leslie Keith Mansfield went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 21. He was born in Kerrville on Feb. 16, 1952 to Kathleen Adams and William Avery Mansfield.
Keith was raised in the community of Tuff on the West Prong of the Medina River. His father was a rancher and his mother worked at Collins of Texas.
Except for the last half of his senior year, Keith attended Medina schools and loved playing football for the Medina Bobcats. During the post high school East-West Game, he proudly played both offense and defense. While attending Tarleton College, he excelled at industrial arts classes.
Keith held licenses as both a Texas Real Estate Broker and State Septic Installer, which he used in the family real estate business. A member of the Bandera Masonic Lodge, he also served as a certified peace officer.
After retiring from the Bandera County Sheriff's Department, Keith returned to the family real estate business. For the last five years, he drove a school bus for Bandera ISD.
Keith became a Christian at the age of 16, following the Lord in baptism at the JB Edwards' ranch in Pipe Creek alongside his future sister-in-law, Joslyn Edwards. After becoming a licensed Baptist preacher, he helped renovate and reopen the Tarpley Baptist Church.
Additionally, Keith was honored to lead his and other children to Christ, baptizing his daughter, Connie, and several other children in the Tarpley swimming hole at the Williams Creek Bridge.
Keith's family fondly remembers him for his many endearing qualities. A kind and dependable man, he loved his wife and children deeply with his big heart and gentle spirit. A doting grandfather, he proudly attended his grandchildren's many events.
A faithful, dependable and compassionate friend, Keith always listened with a kind heart. A generous man, he was always the first to lend a hand to help a friend in need.
Keith had a warm sense of humor and always greeted friends with a big handshake, happy smile and a corny joke. Keith was wise in his silence and fair and just in his words. A hard worker, he also loved to spend time on his heavy equipment.
The big hands and equally big heart of this good and incredibly humble man will be missed by many. Leslie Keith Mansfield was a big teddy bear of a man who left us all with many precious memories.
Keith is survived by Jeanene Connie Edwards Mansfield, his wife of 43 years; three children, Bo Mansfield and his wife, Tandie, of Pipe Creek; Connie Carter and her husband, Ken, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; and Brent Mansfield and his fiancé, Kelly Rigsby, of Bandera; seven grandchildren, Averie and Kalie Mansfield; Josline, Joel, Joanna and Josephine Carter; and Hayden Mansfield; sisters, Kye Mansfield and Jayne Young of Austin; and brother Othro Mansfield of Bandera, as well as by many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements were entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
Joseph Arthur Kosub
1919-2015
Joseph Arthur "Joe" Kosub, 95, a long time resident of Pipe Creek, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20. He was born Nov. 8, 1919 in San Antonio.
Joe is survived by his wife, Becky Kosub, of Pipe Creek, and sister Mary Szczepinski of Wichita Falls.
He was predeceased by his father, Felix V. Kosub Sr.; mother Freida Neitzke Kosub Ruby; sisters, Elizabeth Mielnikowski and Freida Kosub; brother, Felix Kosub Jr.; and son Joseph Kosub Jr.
Bill Hart
1934-2015
Billy Gene Welch - aka Bill Hart - of Northridge, California and Pipe Creek and Edinburg passed away Friday, Jan. 2, at his home in California after a short, but courageous, battle with cancer. Because of Bill's faith in God and trust in Jesus Christ as his Savior, he now rejoices with the saints gone before him in heaven.
He was born on July 28, 1934 in Red Oak, Texas, to James William Edmond and Lilly McHam Welch.
After the death of his parents, Bill moved to Edinburg, Texas and was raised by his adopted parents, Henry Othell and Mildred Welch. In 1953, Bill graduated from Edinburg High School, lettering in football and basketball and graduating at the top of his class.
After graduation, he attended Pan American College before joining the United States Marine Corps and serving proudly two years in Korea.
In 1958, Bill moved to North Hollywood, California to begin a film career. His first move was the 1960 classic "The Alamo," starring John Wayne. That was where Bill first met Bandera's Rudy Robbins.
Bill worked as a stuntman and actor in more than 150 movies, as well as television shows, including "Gunsmoke," "Bonanza," "The Big Valley" and "Stoney Burke," among many others.
Although Bill never really considered himself from California, it was there he met the girl of his dreams and the love of his life, Rina Solowitz or "Rina Mae" as he was fond of calling her. Together, the couple raised four amazing children.
Bill's quick wit and deep love for family and friends led many to conclude he never met a stranger. This fact was acknowledged by the many friends Bill and Rina made over their years together traveling for the movie business and to and from their residences in California and Texas. When Bill neared retirement, the couple bought their ranch in Pipe Creek, naming it "Coot and Skeet Acres." They loved showing off the beauty and splendor of the "Great Texas Outdoors" to family and friends.
A 32nd degree Mason, Bill was a member of Bandera Lodge 1123 and North Hollywood Lodge 542.
He loved greeting his friends at the lodge, 11th Street Cowboy Bar, Wild Horse Saloon and the OST Restaurant with "Yaateeh" - "Hello" in Navajo.
Last October, the couple made a last trip to Edinburg to celebrate Bill's 61st class reunion.
He will be greatly missed by family, friends and all who had the pleasure of meeting him. Bill never liked saying goodbye because it seemed too permanent, so it was always "Adios" - farewell until we meet again.
Bill is survived by his wife, Rina Welch Hart; natural brother Jack Welch and his wife, Fay; adopted brothers, Tillmin Gene Welch and his wife, Carrie Beth, and Stanley Othell Welch and his wife, Tere; daughters Theda Carlene Welch Hart and Kimberly Hart; son Jimmy Hart and his wife, Jessica; brothers-in-laws, Jeff Solowitz and his wife, Kathy; and Ray Solowitz, whom Bill called his best friend in California; grandchildren, Allan Michael "Shadow" Steiner, Melissa "Skeet" Steiner, Danica Hart and Jake Hart; and mother-in-law Lea Solowitz.
He was predeceased by his son, Charles Hugh Othell Welch-Chuck Hart; parents; brothers, Bluitt, MT and Henry Othell; and sisters, Arvela, Maggie Lou, Ruth, Robbie Jane.
A memorial service will be held at 1 pm, Sunday Feb. 15, at the Riverfront Park in Bandera. Rina and the family will host a fish fry - one of Bill's favorite parties - for family and friends at the home of Eldon and Susanne Reed, 2720 Bottlesprings Road. Ice chests and covered dishes are appreciated.
Memorials may be made in Bill's name to a charity of choice.
