Dale Alan Ramsey
1961 - 2015
Dale Alan Ramsey, 53, of Bandera County, passed away on August 2 in Bandera County. He was born in Borger, Texas, to Charles and Anita Ramsey on Oct. 11, 1961.
He married
Dawn Neuman on Oct. 17, 1987 in Bandera. They had three children, Garrett, Logan and Lauren Ramsey.
Dale Ramsey is survived by his three children; father Charles Barry Ramsey; sisters, Janet E. Kolmeier and Dee Ann Bishop; nieces, Nicole Kolmeier and Jennifer Bradford; and brothers-in-law, Edward Kolmeier and Tom Bishop.
Dale attended Bandera High School and graduated in 1979, then went on to Ranger Junior College with a baseball scholarship.
Dale continued his love of baseball by coaching his sons' little league baseball teams for several years in Bandera. He spent countless hours on the area rivers canoeing, kayaking and fishing with his family. He was adventurous, loved the outdoors, and enjoyed teaching his children how to hunt and fish.
He was passionate about reading, especially westerns written by Louis L'Amour. He loved Native American history and learning about his ancestors. He believed in our Creator, and the life hereafter where we would all meet again.
"They are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind," "Keep Your Powder Dry," and "Ride On!"
The family held a private memorial service.
William Elmo Jeffers
1948 - 2015
William Elmo "Bill" Jeffers, 68, of Bandera, passed away Friday, August 7. He was born on Feb. 2, 1948 in Sabinal to the late Elmo Jeffers and Maggie Emmons.
During the Vietnam War, Bill served in the United States Navy as a gunner's mate and barber.
He married
Jeannette Jeffers on August 1, 1983. He is the father of Angie Murray, Mandi Jeffers, Terri Randolph, Billie McCune and Martin Jeffers and also the grandfather of 11 children.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, stepfather Douglas Emmons, brother Donnie Jeffers and nephew James Jeffers.
Memorial services were held at his home church, Twin Lakes Independent Baptist Church of Bandera on Tuesday August 11.
Donald Ray Dean
1937-2015
Donald Ray "Don" Dean, 78, passed away Tuesday, August 11, at his home in Cedar Hill. He was born in Tarpley, on Jan. 20, 1937.
Don graduated from Medina High School where he excelled in basketball and football. He played a major factor in taking his basketball team to the state playoffs in 1955.
After high school, Don joined the United States Navy and was accepted into the naval submarine school, training in New London, Connecticut. He served as an electrician's mate aboard the submarine, USS Segundo.
Even though his life choices took him to far away places, Don always remembered his roots in Tarpley. A few years ago, he asked if Poppa Dean's hay wagon was still down by the field fence. He would have liked to restore the wagon, but health issues stood in his way.
A master electrician by trade, Don taught in the apprenticeship training program for many years. He also started Dean Electric, Inc. in 1984, and later became a general contractor doing business as Dean Construction.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Dean; son Jeffrey W. Dean and his wife, Carmen; grandchildren, Hollie Elizabeth Dean; Brittany Nicole Stech and her husband, Stetson; Alisha Hope Dean; and Jeffrey Brannon Dean; and great-grandchildren, Bentley Dean and Mason Dennis. He is also survived by his brother, Robert William "Bill" Dean and sisters, Betty Zerr, Mary Ann Lutz, Joyce Gray and Sue Manago, as well as by many nieces, nephews, cousins and personal and business friends.
Don was predeceased by his parents, Lewis and Neva Dean; brothers, Glen Lewis Dean, LH Dean and Jerry N. Dean; son Michael "Mike" Dean; and grandson US Marine Corps Sgt. Brett Dean.
Funeral services were held, Saturday, August 15, with internment in Little Bethel Memorial Park in Duncanville. "Rest in peace, Don, you were well loved and you are missed. We keep your memory in our hearts and minds."
Todd A. Morrison
1961-2015
Todd A. Morrison, 53, of Pipe Creek, passed away Saturday, August 1, in San Antonio. He was born in Newport, Rhode Island on Dec. 13, 1961, to Bruce and Rita Morrison.
Todd married
Dana McCullough in San Antonio.
He went to school in Kingsville and graduated from HM King High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, later working as a simulation technician for 30-plus years. Recently, he was awarded Top Tech 2015 at Flight Safety.
Todd is survived by his wife, Dana Morrison; mother Rita Morrison; children, Mandy and her husband, Jason Palmer; Tiffany and her husband, Rocky Lopez; Jessica and her husband, Jason Buikema; Christopher Morrison and his fiancee´, Peggy Glasscock; Ryan Stevenson; and Justin Morrison and his fiancee´, Alicia Arey; sister Cheryl and her husband, Rick Benoit; brother Bryce and his wife, Carla Morrison; and grandchildren, Ivan Palmer, Zoe Spindle, Joshua Buikema, Jasmin Buikema, Alexis Palmer, Jaelyn Palmer, JD Palmer, Brooke Palmer and Bradley Lopez.
Todd was predeceased by his grandfather, A.R. "Bud" Morrison, and his father, Bruce Morrison.
A celebration of life services will be held at 3 pm, Sunday, August 30, at Grimes Funeral Chapel in Bandera.
James Allan Rettko
1961-2015
James Allan "Jimmy" Rettko of Lakehills joined his heavenly Father on Sunday, August 16, in San Antonio. He was born in Mt. Clements, Michigan on March 21, 1961 to Kenneth and Leone Rettko.
Jimmy married
Deborah Pagel on Dec. 20, 1986 in Pipe Creek.
He attended Bandera High School.
A jack-of-all-trades, Jimmy worked as a gas station attendant at D&H; Automotive for many years, but he was also skilled at plumbing and mechanics, as well as being a pyro technician at Sea World. However, his love and gift was cooking.
He served as chef for restaurants in the Lakehills and Bandera areas. Currently, he was employed as supervisor of Top of the Trail Café at Thousand Trails, where he had worked for many years. Jimmy also volunteered for years at the Medina Lake Cajun Festival.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie, of Lakehills; mother Leone Rettko and brother Raymond Rettko, both of Spring Valley, Illinois; sisters, Karan Player of Spring Valley, and Julie Walters and her husband, Jim, of Mendota, Illinois; best friend Peter Sheridan of Lakehills; sisters-in-Law, Donna Pennington and her husband, Daniel, of Pensacola, Florida, and Alice Rettko of Lakehills; brothers-in-law, Danny Pagel of San Antonio; David Pagel and his wife, Michele, of Castroville; and Darren Pagel and his wife, Rhonda, of St. Hedwig; nephews, Kenny Rettko and his wife, Becca, of Lakehills, and Andrew Player of Spring Valley; nieces, Sara Pagel of Castroville, Savannah Player of Spring Valley and Haley Walters of Mendota.
Jimmy was predeceased by his father, Kenneth Rettko Sr., and brothers, Kenneth Rettko Jr. and Andrew Rettko.
A celebration of Jimmy's life was held Thursday, August 20, at Grimes Funeral Chaples in Bandera.
The family extends their sincere thanks to the nurses and physicians at the Methodist Hospital, fourth floor MICU, for their outstanding care of Jimmy and his family.
Gerald H. Persyn
2015
Gerald H. Persyn, 79, of Bandera, was called home to our Heavenly Father on Thursday, Sept. 3. With His guiding hand and his loving family, Gerald made his journey home at his residence, with peace and joy filling his soul.
Throughout his time on earth, Gerald wore many "hats," but, simply put, he was a "builder." During his journey, he was transformed from being a "builder" of mere things to being a "builder" for Christ.
Gerald is at home now with our Heavenly Father; his beloved wife, Mary Ann; son Jeff; and cherished relatives and his brothers and sisters in Christ who went home before him.
He is survived by his daughter, four sons, siblings; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as by all others who he was blessed to know on this earth.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be sent to Peterson Hospice at Peterson Regional Care Center in Kerrville.
Gerald's family extends their sincere blessings to Peterson Hospice and all others who helped our father to find peace on his journey home. Peace be with all.
