William M. Richards
1936–2017
William M. (Bill) Richards, age 81 of Northfield, Ohio passed away on July 15 at his home in Bandera. He was a retired Captain with U.S. Airways and was a 32nd degree Mason with Union Lodge No. 259 in New Brighton, Pennsylvania.
Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Darlene; son Mark and daughter Vicki Torres. Bill was preceded in death by his son Steven. Also surviving are five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A graveside service was held at 2 pm Wednesday, July 19 at Bandera cemetery under the auspices of Bandera Lodge No. 1123.
The Richards family wishes to thank Dr. S. Jaafar, Jeanne Rodriguez, RN and River City Hospice for their support and help through this difficult time.
Arrangements entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels.
Howard Walter Smith, Jr
1940-2017
Howard Walter Smith, Jr., age 77, of Pipe Creek, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 9.
Howard was born in Louisiana on January 14, 1940, but came to Texas as fast as he could. He is survived by his son, Steven Smith; his grandsons, Christopher Smith and Derian Smith; and many nieces and nephews.
Howard was a proud veteran of the US Navy who loved God and his country.
He attended the Western Heritage Cowboy Church in Pipe Creek. He was a fifty-year lifetime member of the Local 142 Plumbers & Pipefitters Union and a lifetime member of the NRA.
Howard never met a stranger and held out his hand to anyone in need. He brought a smile or a laugh everywhere he went. He touched many people in his life and he will be truly missed.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, July 29 at Western Heritage Cowboy Church in Pipe Creek.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction and care of the staff at Vaughan's Funeral Home.
Walter Henry Langehennig
1919–2017
Walter Henry Langehennig, 97, of Bandera, passed away on Tuesday, July 11, at Bandera Rehab Center. He was born in Fredericksburg, on Aug. 24, 1919, to Alonzo and Alma Hohmann Langehennig. He attended Cherry Mountain School outside of Fredericksburg, Texas. On May 26, 1940, he married
Estella Ellebracht in Doss, Texas.
Walter and Estella had two children in Fredericksburg and then moved to Falfurrias where the youngest child was born.
Farming became very difficult because of the drought in the 50s. So Walter moved his family back to Fredericksburg and started a dairy. He later moved the family to Hunt, Texas, where he worked for Luther Graham at Camp La Junta. Mr. Graham knew Walter really wanted to work on a ranch, so he found two jobs for him, one in Montana and the other in Bandera on the John Merrick ranch. Walter didn't want to leave Texas, so he chose Bandera.
In 1958, he was hired as the foreman of the Bar O Ranch with more than 5,000 acres and stayed there for over 19 years until it was given to the state. It is now the Hill Country State Natural Area. He loved rodeo so much that he built the arena located next to the lodge, which is where he and his family lived all those years. Building the arena ensured his being able to practice calf and steer roping and to have rodeos there with friends such as Scooter Fries, Ray Wharton and Buddy Groff. Walter, Buck Teich, Scooter Fries and others began the Rodeo Association in the early 1960s. They made many improvements to the arena at Mansfield Park, trying to draw more people to the area. He planted trees around the arena to ensure shade for horses, wives and children.
Walter began the 40-and-over and 50-and-over team roping events in the late 1960’s at Mansfield Park. It started with only a handful of contestants but grew bigger and more popular each year. One roping event was so big it had 599 teams. He entered himself and a partner to make it an even 600, and then another team entered again to make it 601 teams. That event lasted until 2 o’clock in the morning.
The team ropings continued until his wife passed away. She had been his “right hand man” all those years, and he didn't feel he could go on without her. She passed away on May 12, 1990.
Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Estella; his daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Dick Baker; his parents; sister, Ola Schmidt; brother, Robert Langehennig; and great-granddaughter, Valerie Estes.
He is survived by his son, Homer Langehennig and wife, Kim; daughter, Melonie Clark and husband, Bob, all of Bandera; grandchildren, Sean and Stacie Clark, of Bandera, Lee Langehennig, Jennifer Timms, Amie Melton and husband, Devon, and Brad Baker and wife, Chelsea; great-grandchildren, Levi and Savannah Timms and Claire and Hayden Melton, all of Colorado; and sister-in-law, Helen Pehl Langehennig of Fredericksburg.
We will miss playing dominoes with Walter, driving with him to check on his cattle and hearing all the great stories of growing up that he told us.
A memorial service will be at 1pm, Saturday, Aug. 5, in the Rec Center at Mansfield Park in Bandera.
Thomas G. Schaffer
1947-2017
Thomas G. Schaffer, known as Greg and "Gramps" by those who loved him, peacefully passed away in his San Antonio home on the morning of August 1st. Greg was born on October 17, 1947 the son of Thomas and Anna Schaffer in St Louis, Missouri. He was a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran in his youth and graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1980 with a degree in business. He then made a career for himself in the field of health insurance.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years Mary Jo Schaffer and her two children, Sarah Miracle and Jeff Gossmann, along with their spouses, Joseph Miracle and Kelli Gossmann. He is also survived by seven loving grandchildren: Jack, Benjamin, and Savannah Miracle, and Gabriel, Ruthie, Nathaniel, and Zachariah Gossmann. Also surviving is Gregís son, Jeff Schaffer, Gregís brother Bill Shaffer and wife Virginia, along with their sons, Josef Schaffer and wife Jamie, and James Schaffer and wife Erina.
Greg enjoyed fishing, golfing and the San Antonio Spurs. More importantly, he was celebrated as a caring and dependable man, persistently providing for his family through good times and bad. He is remembered for his faithful care and self-giving love which he displayed as he nurtured his wife back to health during her struggle with cancer. He provided an excellent example of doing what it takes to take care of the people you love. His reward in heaven will be greater than he would have ever expected.Being a patient and kind man, he was deeply respected and admired by his children and grandchildren alike and will be missed by all. Job well done, Greg.
The Funeral Mass will be at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Bandera, Friday August 11 at 10 am. Interment will be at Fort Sam Houston.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
Rex Eugene Decker
2017
Today, August 10, 2017, I lost my best friend, my soul mate and the love of my life. My husband of 32 years went to be with our Lord after a very long battle with cancer. Most of you saw Rex as he is in this picture, looking through your window with a smile and a kind word, and of course your order, because he worked at the Bandera Beverage Barn for over 20 years.
Rex was the youngest of six children all of whom preceded him in death. He joined the Navy when he was 17, and served our country very proudly. He was a deacon in the Presbyterian Church, and a coast-to-coast truck driver, but his passion was the horses. Rex was a racehorse trainer for more than 40 years.
With only an eighth grade education, Rex accomplished a lot in his life. But his greatest accomplishment was his children: Leslie, Mike, Jeanne (Dennis), Scott (Willette), April (Brian), Leslie (Sid), and Rex (April). He also leaves behind seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Rex was basically a pretty private person and would never want anyone to make a big deal over him. Because of that, Rex requested that there not be a funeral or memorial service. He would just want all of you to stay healthy, happy and to remember this: “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken.”
Rest in peace Mr. Decker. You will be missed by so many!
Ian Rhodes Major
1994 — 2017
Ian Rhodes Major, 22, of Bandera County Texas, passed away on Aug. 1, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in San Antonio on Nov. 22, 1994, and placed in the arms of Elizabeth and Robert Major on Nov. 24, 1994.
Ian started preschool at St. Paul’s School in Houston, Texas. He attended Valley Oaks Elementary and Westchester Middle School in Houston. He started piano lessons at age 6 and won several 1st place awards for piano composition. In 2008 the family moved to Bandera where Ian attended Bandera Middle and Bandera High Schools. Ian played guitar in the Jazz, Marching and Symphonic Bands and was on the Golf Team. As a Boy Scout, he was asked to join his Houston troop on a trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, preparing for several months for this experience.
Ian graduated from Bandera High School in 2013 and was enrolled at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio studying Business Administration. Ian was a gifted writer, incredibly intuitive and cared deeply for things that mattered in life. He enjoyed playing his electric bass guitar and was great at modifying his car as well as often helping his friends work on their cars. Ian was passionate about his family, thankful for his friends and any animals that may have crossed his path. Ian wanted to rescue all the strays in the world and never wanted any animal to be mistreated.
We give thanks for Ian, are proud to call him our son and will be eternally grateful for the joy and love he brought to us.
Ian is preceded in death by his grandparents, Sam and Mary Major and MacRae and Eleanor Kennady.
Ian is survived by his parents, Bob and Elizabeth Major; brothers, Kent Major with his wife Amie and their children, Charlotte and Sadie, and Evan Major; and sister, Candace Major as well all his aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service will be at 11 am, Saturday, Aug. 19, at Bandera United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kyle Toomire officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Saving Shelter Strays, Inc., PO Box 3094, Bandera, TX 78003-3094.
Arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
