Brandon Keith Casburn
1973-2016
Brandon Keith “Pokey”' Casburn, 42, of Utopia, passed away at his residence Wednesday, Feb. 3.
He was born on August 27, 1973, in Conroe, to Perry and Velma Scott Casburn. Pokey married
Julie Ginn in Tomball on Jan. 19, 2001.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years and parents, all of Utopia; son Ryan Casburn; stepdaughters, Katie Claborn of Crockett, Sarah Marburger of New Waverly and Shelby Sylvester of New Braunfels; brother Stacey “BO” Casburn and his wife, Cindy, of Sabinal; grandchildren, JR Claborn, Mason Claborn, Xander Sylvester and Aleyda Rodriguez; nieces and nephews, Josh Dandy, Jacob Dandy, Karter Ginn, Madison Ginn, Quinton Casburn, Collen Casburn, Caleb Casburn and Mia Ziebold; father-in-law AR Ginn and his wife, Ollie; and mother-in-law Judy Neal.
Pokey was predeceased by his father-in-law, Tom Neal, and brother-in-law Crew Ginn.
A funeral service was held Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Living Waters Church in Utopia, with burial following on Monday, Feb. 8, at the Odd Fellows cemetery in Anderson, Texas.
Joseph Cleveland Reeves
1916-2016
Surrounded by family, Joseph Cleveland Reeves of Pipe Creek passed away Thursday, Feb. 18, at the VA Medical Center in Kerrville.
He was born on March 21, 1916, in Roswell, Georgia, the son of Posey and Fannie Waters Reeves.
Before entering the service during World War II, Joseph received his education at North Fulton High School and Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
He attended Field Artillery Officers Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1942 and was assigned as a battery commander with the 92nd Infantry (Buffalo) Division. Joseph also served with the 25th Infantry Division during the occupation of Japan.
During the Korean War, he became the Provost Marshall of Fort Polk, Louisiana, and later chief of training at the Provost Marshal General Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia, where he retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1961.
After retiring from the United States Army, Joseph worked for the Social Security Administration for 16 years before retiring.
He and his wife, Ruth, moved to their ranch in Pipe Creek in 1990 where they enjoyed ranch life and being active in the Bandera Grace Lutheran Church
Joseph is survived by his wife, Ruth Kronke Reeves; and daughter Deborah Reeves Fite and her husband, Gary, of San Antonio. He was proud of his grandchildren and their families, Joseph and Chrystie Fite, Matthew and Sarah Fite, Beth and Patrick Blische, and equally proud of his 12 great-grandchildren. Joseph is also survived by a brother, William D. Reeves and his wife, Susan, of Suwanee, Georgia.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Frances Stock Reeves.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Grace Lutheran Church on Highway 173 North. Burial with full military honors took place Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Fort Sam Houston National cemetery.
The family wishes to thank the outstanding staff at the KTCC1 wing of the VA Medical Center for their outstanding care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, PO Box 1226, Bandera 78003.
Horace Lee Porter
1924-2016
Horace Lee Porter, 91, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 16, at his home in Arlington, Texas.
He was born in Medina on Nov. 25, 1924, to Horace Lee Porter and Hallie Mae Keese Porter.
HL accepted Jesus Christ as a child and became a member of First Baptist Church in Medina. He married
Mary Josephine Mayfield on April 7, 1945, in San Antonio.
After graduating from Medina High School in 1943, HL immediately joined the United States Army Air Corps and began training as a pilot cadet. A year after marrying Mary Jo, he left for Guam and was stationed in the Philippines during its liberation from Japan at the end of World War II.
HL returned to the United States 10 months later. After his discharge from the Army Air Corps in 1947, he and his young bride attended Southwest Texas State Teacher�s College in San Marcos where HL received his Bachelor�s Degree within three years. After graduating, the couple both taught school in Leming for a year.
During the Korean Conflict, HL was recalled to active duty in 1951 to what was now the US Air Force. He remained in the Air Force and flew B-29, B-47 and B-52 bombers, as well as various other aircraft. In 1967, he retired as a lieutenant colonel.
After moving to Kerrville in 1969 to be close to family, HL began teaching history, government and social studies at Tivy High School. Additionally, he developed and taught an aerospace class at Tivy, which served as ground school for many upcoming young pilots.
After leaving his teaching job some years later, HL returned to flight instruction and flew charter and air ambulance flights. One of his flight students was his son, Lee, who has also made flying his career and is now in his 40th year as a professional pilot.
HL held several other jobs until he retired once again in the late 1980s � to fully enjoy the benefits of being a grandfather.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Porter; son Lee Porter and his wife, Linda; daughter Jenifer George and her husband, Sebastian; grandson Travis Porter and his wife, Angela; grandsons, Kevin Porter and Caleb George; granddaughters, Erin Porter and Loralyn George; great-granddaughter Vada Porter; and great-grandson Zachary Porter, as well as by many loved nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Grimes Funeral Chapel in Bandera with Brother Allie Balko of First Baptist Church Medina officiating.
Florida Marye Barnes
1921-2016
Florida Marye Barnes, 94, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Feb 27.
A longtime resident of Bandera, she was born in Eagle Pass on March 20, 1921, to Florida Ranney and Henry P. Barnes. As a young girl, her family moved to Laredo where Florida spent her formative years, graduating from Laredo High School.
She moved to San Antonio in 1963 and quickly proved herself a true asset to John Catto Jr. and Alfred Negley as she handled bookkeeping for local family interests.
The relationship flourished and, in 1965, Negley purchased two film carriers that served theaters from Dallas to the Rio Grande Valley. This company eventually became Texas Tex-Pack Express Inc., and Florida served as its president and general manager.
She was largely credited with helping Tex-Pack enjoy enormous growth and expansion before being sold. She often described her experience at Tex-Pack as one of her most notable accomplishments.
Coming from a small border town with no college degree, Florida succeeded in a man’s world at a time when that was not easy.
She thoroughly enjoyed learning and helping others. At the time of her death, Florida was serving on the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic Board of Directors and had spent several years volunteering with the Frontier Times Museum. She was also involved with the San Antonio Area Foundation.
Florida is survived by her nieces, Kathleen Knecht, Marye Fazekas and Carol Beatty; nephew Henry Barnes; great-nieces Shawn and Julie Fazekas; and great-nephews Austin Fazekas, Carson Beatty and Luke Beatty.
She was predeceased by her parents, brother Harold Barnes and sister Alice Joyce “Babs” George.
Funeral services will be held at 2 pm, Saturday, March 5, at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Bandera with Rev. Allan Conkling, Jr. officiating.
The family extends sincere thanks to the kind caregivers at United Angels for their assistance with Florida’s care in her final weeks.
Billie Lou Courtney
1928-2016
Billie Lou Courtney went to be with the Lord, her family and friends on Saturday, Feb. 27.
She was born Nov. 1, 1928, to Ina and Clyde Dawson in Bell County.
Billie was raised in Houston and attended Jefferson Davis High School where she met and married
her husband, Bill. Together, the couple built up a large service company, starting in the Houston area and then expanding along the Gulf Coast.
Billie and Bill purchased a ranch in the Bandera area where they enjoyed entertaining friends, family and clients.
Billie truly loved being surrounded by family and friends and, through her hospitality and graciousness, was a wonderful hostess. She also loved to travel and she and Bill traveled all over the world, meeting many new friends.
They had to be friends as Billie never met a stranger and lit up any room she entered. With her infectious laugh and beautiful smile, she had a knack for making everyone welcome.
Billie is survived by her daughter, Sherril Barker and her husband, Bill; son Craig Courtney and his wife, Suzanne; sister Ginger Garwood (Kelly) and her beloved companion, Elmer Williams; grandchildren, Matt Barker and his wife, Diana; Brett Barker and his wife, Shannon; Newton Hopkins and his wife, Monica; Caitlin Christopher Bonner and her husband, Blake; and Chais Courtney; and five great-grandchildren.
Billie was predeceased by her parents, husband WJ “Bill” Courtney and daughter Patricia Courtney Christopher.
Billie, we will all miss you here, but we know you’re enjoying the reunion with your family and friends. Laissez le bon temps rouler!
A private family graveside service will be held Wednesday, March 2, at the Episcopal cemetery with arrangements by Grimes Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Boys & Girls Club of Bandera, PO Box 3155, Bandera 78003.
