Eric David Shade
1965-2015
Eric David Shade, 49, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away Saturday, March 28, in his home, following a valiant fight with metastatic colorectal cancer. Although born in San Francisco, California, on Sept. 27, 1965, his life journeys later took him to Boerne for most of his childhood.
Eric graduated from Boerne High School in 1982. In 1986, he earned his bachelor's degree at Trinity University in San Antonio. After receiving his Master's and PhD from Penn State in 1991, he and his wife, Kathy, moved to Springfield where Eric followed his passion to teach others. He became an associate professor of Computer Science at Missouri State University.
During his tenure, he served on numerous committees and as parliamentarian for the faculty senate for several years. Eric's dedication and passion to educate and inspire his students drove him to continue teaching, throughout his fight, until March 5 of this year.
In addition to his love for teaching, Eric also had a passion for cycling and was a member of the Springbike Cycling Club. An avid musician, he played the bass, drums, keyboard and ukulele, and loved music of all varieties.
Eric's wit and extreme intelligence made him a nearly unbeatable opponent in any debate, as well as any bridge hand - or any other card or board game for that matter. An undone crossword or logic puzzle rarely posed a challenge to him.
Despite his analytical nature, Eric's enormous heart and love shone brightly in all his relations with his family, friends, and students.
He is survived in this earthly life by his wife, Kathryn Shade, and son Christian Shade, as well as by his parents, Pat and Harold Stokes, and brother Matt Stokes.
Eric was predeceased by his father, David Henry Shade.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eric Shade Computer Science Scholarship fund at Missouri State University to the care of the MSU Foundation, 901 S. National Ave, Springfield, MO 65897. Contributions may also be made in his name to "Stand Up 2 Cancer" Foundation thru his "star link" at http://constellation.standup2cancer.org/stars/49569. Stand Up 2 Cancer funds collaborative, innovative cancer research to get new treatments to patients faster.
Mildred Louise Karr-Sharp
1935-2015
Mildred Louise Karr-Sharp, 79, was called home by her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, April 1, to be reunited with parents and family members who preceded her in death. She passed away peacefully in her home in the presence of her husband, Phil Sharp.
Louise was born in Smithville, Texas, on June 8, 1935, to Jesse Lee Smith and Mildred Underwood.
Louise served Bandera County as Justice of the Peace for three years, as a member of the Bandera County Appraisal District, past Republican Precinct Chairman, member of the Bandera County Republican Women, member of the Bandera Independent School District Facilities Citizens Advisory Team and as an associate member of the Bandera County Peace Officers Association.
Louise also supported the Bandera County Youth Rodeo, Lakehills American Legion Auxiliary, Medina Lake Betterment Association, Medina and Bandera Parent Teachers Organizations, Bandera County Fair and the Lakehills United Methodist Church.
Additionally, she served as director of the Battered Women's Shelter, MHMR assistant, a public aid case worker, family case worker, resort ranch manager, and restaurant owner and manager.
Louise was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend who loved her Lord.
She is survived by her sons, Steven Cumbie and his wife, Toni, of Weatherford, and Kenneth Huckabee and his wife, Patricia, of Pipe Creek; daughters, Rebecca Underwood and her husband, Paul, of Corpus Christi; Karen Pendergast and her husband, Mike, of Newark, Texas; and Jessica Taylor of Dripping Springs. Louise also leaves behind 13 precious grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Services were held Saturday, April 4, at Grimes Funeral Chapel of Bandera.
Marion A. Dickey
1948-2015
Marion A. Dickey of Bandera passed Saturday, April 18, at her home after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi on June 3, 1948, to Gerald and Ruth Callender.
Marion married
Ronald Dickey on May 24, 1968, at the family's church in Brookhaven.
She attended secondary school in Brookhaven. Marion had three years of undergraduate studies in mathematics at the University of Mississippi before returning to college and graduating from Athens State University in 2000.
She was employed as a high school math teacher by the Anne Arundel County public school system in Maryland for several years.
As an Army wife for 20 years, Marion moved her family from Panama, Georgia, North Carolina, California, Colorado and the Netherlands before residing in North Alabama for 12 years, Maryland for 14 years and finally Bandera for the last year of her life.
Each assignment brought new adventures and new opportunities to improve the community by working with school systems and Cub Scouts and volunteering with the American Red Cross. Each organization recognized Marion's service to community youth with one highlight being a certificate of appreciation from the NATO-SHAPE Red Cross manager.
Regardless of the home's location, first in Marion's heart was her faith in God and countless hours of teaching Vacation Bible School and youth Sunday School classes. Many young men and women received solid life guidance through her faithful service on Sundays, Wednesdays, and summer camps.
Marion is survived by her husband of 47 years, Ronald; daughter Melissa Wilson and her husband, Rev. James Wilson; son Brian Dickey; sister Toni Allen and her husband, Phillip Allen; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, brother Sherwin Callender and her infant child, Jenny Michelle Dickey.
Funeral services were Tuesday, April 21, at the First Baptist Church of Bandera with Rev. Dave Collett officiating. Burial will take place at the Fort Sam Houston National cemetery on Monday, April 27.
Pallbearers will be Brian Dickey, Gary Dickey, James Wilson, Alec Denbo, Richard Honea and Rodney Sosa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Bandera, 1302 Pecan Street, Bandera 78003.
Marion's family wishes to extend thanks to Dr. Charles McCurly; the physicians and nurses of Methodist Stone Oak Hospital, Methodist Hospital and the START Center; and especially to Amy and Lori with River City Hospice for their countless kindnesses and sincere sympathy.
Additionally, warmest thoughts go out to the many friends and neighbors of Bridlegate Ranch and friends and members of First Baptist Church of Bandera; Glen Burnie Baptist Church; Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Independence, Mississippi; and the Cavalry Chapel at Fort Meade, Maryland for their endless support over the extended period of Marion's illness.
Sue Brance Waggoman
1935-2015
Sue Brance Waggoman, chef, pianist, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, passed peacefully the afternoon of Thursday, April 9, in the presence of her family, overlooking her Texas hills.
She was born on May 7, 1935, in Houston to JD Brance and Amoretta Hall Brance.
Sue grew up in Houston, gaining recognition for her musical talent while at Kinkaid Academy. She graduated from Lamar High School.
After attending the University of Alabama, Sue moved to Fort Worth with her family and worked as personal secretary to the vice president of Ridgelie Bank.
In May 1958, a young man by the name of John Waggoman sped at 100 mph from a business meeting in Snyder to make his date with Sue. The couple married
the following year. They purchased a home in Garland where John often found Sue playing the piano in the evenings when he came home from work.
In 1961, they welcomed their son, Jud, and relocated to the Texas Hill Country shortly after.
During this time, Sue began to perfect her skills as a chef - first for the delight of her own family and friends and later as a respected member of the esteemed Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs. At a high-profile charity event in San Antonio, Sue's cake took first place, gaining the attention of Oscar de la Renta, who congratulated her, saying, "Lady, I cannot believe you know how to cook and dress so elegantly!"
Before being diagnosed with cancer in 1999, Sue shared the kitchen with Julia Child, Wolfgang Puck, and Dean Farring, among others.
Outside the kitchen, her musical talent on the piano graced concert halls, hotel lobbies and her own living room. Her concerts - both professional and impromptu - gained the praise from famous artists, World War II generals and her family.
In 2004, Sue spent a year in the hospital battling cancer before being declared cancer-free. During these last years of her life, she enjoyed flying the "Sue Jet" to visit friends and family. These pleasures were short-lived, however, due to congestive heart failure and end stage renal disease.
Sue is survived by her husband, John; sheltie Marnie; son Jud of San Jose del Cabo; granddaughter Lee and her fiancée, Kyle Grest, of San Antonio; grandson United States Army First Lieutenant Brance and his wife, Kate, of Fort Lewis, Washington; and sister-in-law Ann of Gainesville, as well as by many cousins and friends.
The family extends thanks to the many physicians and nurses, who cared so diligently for Sue. In addition, the family thanks Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville for their services.
A memorial service honoring Sue will be held at 1 pm, Thursday, May 7, at her home at Fossil Ridge Ranch, with the Rev. Allan Conkling of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church officiating. Interment will follow in Houston on Saturday.
Memorials may be made to Peterson Regional Medical Center Foundation, 551 Hill Country Drive, Kerrville 78028.
