Lynda VanDamme Rodriguez
1951-2014
Lynda VanDamme Rodriguez, 62, of Bandera, passed away Thursday, Sept. 4, in El Paso after a lengthy illness. She was born on Nov. 13, 1951, in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Albert and Theresa VanDamme.
Lynda married
Stephen "Julio" Rodriguez on March 28, 1979, in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
A wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt and best friend to all, Lynda knew no strangers. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Lynda is survived by her husband, Stephen "Julio" Rodriguez; children, Stephen William and his wife, Montessa, and John Aaron and his wife, Kim; sisters, Margaret VanDamme and Anita VanDamme; step-grandchildren, Haley, Bree and Keoni; and brother-in-law John Scarbrough, as well as by numerous nieces and nephews and many cousins and relatives in New Mexico and San Antonio.
Lynda was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Theresa VanDamme.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, Sept. 27, at Grimes Funeral Home in Bandera.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation
Jessica Wright Hollis
2014
Senior Deputy Sheriff Jessica Laura Hollis, 35, of the Travis County Sheriff's Office died tragically while on duty Thursday, Sept. 18, when her patrol vehicle was swept away in a low water crossing during a period of heavy rainfall and flooding. Her never-ending desire to help everyone was evident in all she did. Jessica left this earth living her passion - serving others.
She grew up in San Antonio, graduating from Churchill High School in 1997 where she was a varsity cheerleader. Jessica attended Texas A&M; in Corpus Christi and Southwest Texas State where she studied marine biology.
Jessica met her future husband, Ricky Hollis, while both served as EMTs in San Antonio. They also served together as paramedics for Calhoun County for five years.
After being accepted into the Austin Police Academy, the couple moved to Austin and became only the second married
couple to graduate from that police academy. Before being recruited by the Travis County Sheriff's Department, Jessica served with the Austin Police Department and the Travis County Parks Department. Ricky has served with the Austin Police Department for nine years.
For the last seven years, Jessica served with Honor and Distinction with the Travis County Sheriff Office, earning a promotion to senior deputy sheriff. She served as a patrol officer, field training officer and vice officer.
Due to her love of scuba diving, Jessica worked hard to become a member of the prestigious Travis County Dive Team. At the time of her death, she was a certified master scuba diver and had received the Unit Citation Award for her work with the dive team. Additionally, Jessica shared her passion for diving with her son, Mason, and was very proud of his recent diving certification.
The American Legion nominated Jessica for 2010 "Officer of the Year." Her lieutenant eloquently stated, "Jessica was a shining star and would advance far with Travis County."
Although slight in size, she had a vivacious personality, and was loved, respected and admired by family, friends and peers. Those who knew Jessica would say she never met a stranger.
Above all, Jessica loved spending time with Mason. Recently, they shared a special mother-son vacation to New Orleans and the Hall family lake vacation.
Sentimental about her family heritage, Jessica saved and collected family treasures - from the 1951 Pontiac Chieftain, which the family restored, to her late Granny Wright's piano that she hoped Mason would play - however, "football and diving were winning out." Jessica also loved "Mommy Me Time" with her mother, Vicki. During this time, they helped animal rescue shelters and searched out vintage treasures.
Jessica is survived by her husband of 12 years, Ricky; her 12-year-old son, Mason; mother Vicki Wright; stepfather Bill Wright and his partner, Eva Lee; father Rick Hall and his wife, Dale Freeman; siblings, Wade Wright; Crystal Fulfer and her husband, Weston; Katherine Lively and her husband, Billy; and Taylor Hall and his wife, Bianca; grandmother Jessie Hall and mother-in-law Melody Hollis.
Jessica's funeral was Wednesday, Sept 24, at the Hill County Bible Church in North Austin. Interment followed at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks cemetery in Pflugerville, with full law enforcement honors. Deputies on Jessica's patrol shift and her brothers, Wade Wright and Taylor Hall, served as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Jessica's name to the AY Chihuahua Rescue of Austin in honor of Ms. Olivia and Ms. Frida.
The family sincerely appreciates and gives their heartfelt thanks to all the brave people who diligently searched long hours for Jessica. They also greatly appreciate the tremendous support from the Travis County Sheriff Department and the Austin Police Department.
Jessica's memorial may be visited at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.
Donna White Alexander
2014
Donna White Alexander, 92, passed away peacefully at her home in Bandera on Thursday, Oct. 2, with her family at her side.
Donna was born and grew up in Council Grove, Kansas. She attended one year at Bradford College in Haverhill, Massachusetts, followed by a year at the University of Kansas before marrying Robert Warren Alexander in 1942.
During their marriage, the couple lived in Austin while Bob attended law school, in LaMarque and in Galveston. Bob retired from his law practice after 32 years and they retired to their ranch in Bandera, where they have lived for the past 35 years. Bob and Donna celebrated 72 years of marriage.
Donna's positive attitude was an inspiration to all who knew and loved her. She was active in the Bandera Fine Arts Club and enjoyed participating in the Sierra Madre Garden Club in Kerrville, the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and Friends of the Library.
Donna is survived by her husband, Bob; daughters, Julie Cage and her husband, JD, of Muleshoe; Barbara Dlouhy of Vida, Oregon; Peggy Frese and her husband, AC, of Birmingham, Alabama; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday Oct. 6, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Russ Lambert officiating. Interment followed in the Bandera cemetery.
The family requests that any honorary contributions be made to the charity of choice.
Arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
Bobby MacPherson
1973 - 2014
Bobby MacPherson was born August 21, 1973, and died Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, in a San Antonio hospital.
He is survived by his son Zachary of Pasadena, Texas; his daughter Reagan of San Antonio; his mother Mary, grandmother Juanita MacPherson, sister Angela and brothers Tommy, Chris, Steven, Robert of Pipe Creek, and John of Garland, Texas; aunt Gerry Fleuriet and husband Randy of Harlingen, Texas; aunt Barbara Barks and husband Joel of San Marcos, and numerous cousins and friends. He is also survived by his very special love, his fiancée Jessica Weber.
A memorial service will be held for Bobby at Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church Sunday, Nov. 9 at 4 pm.
Margaret Mary Muschalek
1923-2014
Margaret Mary Hughes Muschalek, 91, died Monday, Sept. 1, in Boerne. She was born May 16, 1923, in San Antonio to Louis L. Hughes and Mary Hand.
Margaret was raised in San Antonio by her mother and grandmother. While raising her own children, she and her husband, Ernest moved several times, but Margaret never failed to make every house a "home."
She loved to bowl and fish when she could.
Margaret was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.
She is survived by her husband, Ernest V. Muschalek; daughters, Jean Rick and her husband, Clifford, and Barbara Faris and her husband, Bill; grandchildren, Cyndi Schmidt; Dena Cantu and her husband, Rene; Jennifer Thompson; Benny Edmondson Jr.; Kevin Edmondson; Gary Edmondson and his wife, Evelyn; Suzy Fox and her husband, Tom; Elizabeth Binder and her husband, Matt; Terri Young; and Tamra Tindol and her husband, Travis. Margaret was also blessed with 17 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her parents; grandmother Elizabeth Cravey Hand; sons, Forrest Young Jr. and Wayne Young; and a sister and brother.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Margaret's Heritage Place family and friends.
The funeral service took place Saturday, Sept. 6, at Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home in Boerne. Interment followed at Bandera cemetery.
Delores Rogers
1922-2014
Former Bandera resident Delores Rogers was welcomed home by our loving Creator on Thursday, May 8. She was born May 4, 1922, to Fred and Rose Duenwald in the small farming town of Hoven, South Dakota.
A beautician for many years, Delores owned a beauty salon in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. While in Tennessee, Delores met and married
the love of her life, "Red" Rogers, and the couple had three sons whom they adored.
Delores loved big and gave big. People always knew when she had been to the Bandera nursing home because the residents would have beautifully painted nails. A volunteer for many years with the Meals on Wheels program, she dedicated her life to caring for elderly women who were homebound.
Delores worked for 10 years at the Frontier Times Museum. She greeted everyone who walked through the door with a huge smile and a welcome that made visitors feel like they were seeing an old friend.
Delores loved the people of First Baptist Church of Bandera, where she was a member. Her love for God and others was contagious. Everyone who met Delores knew that she "loved the Lord." She shared that love with everyone she met, including the countless children she taught in Sunday school throughout her life.
Always filled with life, Delores loved to laugh and have fun, and her very favorite thing to do was to dance. We imagine she is dancing through heaven at this very moment.
She is survived by her sister, Roselyn Kaup, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; sons, Fred and Susie Rogers of Houston, Don and Kim Rogers of Austin and Randy and Pam Rogers of San Antonio; six grandchildren, Michelle, Jade, Christina Rene, Donald II, Candace, and Samantha; and 10 great-grand children.
Delores was predeceased by her siblings, Gert, Mary, Norbert, Robert, Dorothy and Melvin, as well as by her beloved husband, Red.
A memorial service will be held for Delores at 10 am, Thursday May 15, at the First Baptist Church of Bandera, 1302 Pecan Street, with Pastor Frank Pullin officiating. The family invites everyone to join them to give thanks to God for the Delores' life and celebrate the resurrection.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Bandera or Bandera County Helping Hand.
