COUNT LEON BOWER, SR.
Count Leon Bower, Sr, age 89, of Medina, died Thursday, November 6, at his residence. He was born March 28, 1914 in Columbus Ohio, enlisted in the Army, 15th Calvary Division at Ft Bliss, Texas, in 1932 and Commissioned 2nd Lt in 1940. He commanded a radar unit in early World War II. Later he was officer in charge of Communications for General LeMay in the Pacific. Subsequently served with the Security Service in Germany, and taught AFROTC as Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Nebraska. He served prior to World War II, during World War II, the Korean War, Berlin Airlift and was retired in 1963 with 26 years of service as Lt Colonel, USAF, with various medals, citations, and awards. His education included a BS from the University of Wyoming, Masters Degree from the University of Nebraska in Government and attended various military} schools including the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base. Following his retirement, he and his family purchased their ranch in Medina which they operated until his death.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marcia Ahn Gilbert Bower; his two sons, Count Leon Bower, Jr, and Gilbert Leon Bower & wife Lynn, daughter, Abigail Lee Bower Dischinger & husband Mark, grandsons, Count Leon Bower, III, & wife Darcene, Christian Sean Bower, and Travis Lee Bower and his granddaughter, Abigail Ahn Bower. Services were Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. Medina United Methodist Church, with Rev. Bill Stegmueller and Harold Zirkel officiating. Interment will follow in the Oak Rest cemetery. Pallbearers are Count Leon Bower, Jr, Gilbert Bower, Count Leon Bower, III, Christian Sean Bower, Mark Dischinger, and John Singleton. Honorary Pallbearers are Wilton Crider, Homer Stevens, Jr, Jim Wilson, and Dean Gabrielson. Memorials may be made to Medina United Methodist Church.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.
K. K. AMINI
K.K. Amini passed away Nov. 19 at the age of 82. He was born on April 23, 1921 in Khoy, Iran and immigrated to the United States in 1945. He put himself through the University of Kansas by working in a scholarship hall and graduated with a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1949. A journalism student, Margaret Wenski, was assigned to interview him upon his arrival at KU, and they were married
in 1948.
Upon graduation and until 1961, K.K. worked for a series of oil companies and operators, most notably T.F.Hodge in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1961, K.K. moved his family to Midland, Texas and began his career as an independent oil operator. A brief stint in Houston in the early 70s was followed by a move to San Antonio in 1980 where Mr. Amini operated Sage Energy Company until 1990. He continued to reside in San Antonio until his death.
As an independent oil and gas operator, from 1961 until 2003, Mr. Amini completed over 750 wells. Most of these were located in the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico and along the Texas Gulf Coast, but he also conducted operations in Oklahoma, North Dakota, Utah and California. During his career, he was responsible for discovering over 50 million gross barrels of oil equivalent in numerous fields. Entering the contract drilling business in 1976, he constructed and operated 18 rotary drilling rigs, and in 1990 his companies employed approximately 325 people.
Mr. Amini's talents as an amateur architect and builder are demonstrated in numerous residences he designed and built over the years. But his true talent in this regard is uniquely represented by a 3, 500-acre property in his beloved Texas Hill Country which he simply called "the Ranch."
Never having forgotten the institution which afforded him so many economic opportunities, Mr. Amini and his wife, Margaret, built two scholarship halls on the campus of the University of Kansas. Each year these facilities afford the opportunity for 50 young men and 50 young women to pursue college degrees. His other charitable endeavors were varied and numerous.
Having become a United States citizen in 1952, Mr. Amini loved America and was intense in his defense of democracy. The passion he had for his country was surpassed only by his passion for his family.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret, son Rex Amini and wife, Deborah, daughter Sue Minor and husband, Jesse, son Ron Amini, son Michael Amini and wife, Molly, grandchildren Ashley, Erin and Brooke Amini, Jennifer Schoenfeld and husband Chris, Matthew and Emily Minor, and Maggie, John and Marian Amini, two brothers, two sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service followed by a reception was held on Monday, Nov. 24 at University United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all memorials go to The United Way. Further communication may be made through the Porter Loring Mortuaries,
EARLINE SUMNER
Mrs. Earline Sumner, age 83 of Kerrville, passed away Monday, Nov. 10 at a local hospital.
She was born Aug. 8, 1920 in Nacogdoches to Toliver Garrett Scogin and Rosie (Aiken) Scogin. On Jan. 29, 1943, she married
Robert Paul Sumner in Houston, TX. He preceded her death on June 14, 1995.
Earline and her husband were owners of Paul's Upholstery and Furniture Manufacturing Company, in Houston. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Kerrville. Before moving to Kerrville, she was a resident of Fredericksburg.
Survivors include her children and their spouses, Carolyn and husband, O.E. "Sneak" Davis of Spring; Rosemary and husband, Rev. Frank Pullin of Bandera and Robert Paul Sumner, Jr. and wife, Francis of Clarksville, TN; 9 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Services were Friday, Nov. 14, at Grimes Funeral Chapels with Dr. John Petty and Rev. Frank Pullin officiating. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories cemetery in Kerrville.
Pallbearers will be Mrs. Sumner's grandsons, Randy Sumner, Steven Davis, Scott Davis, Jeff Pullin, Charlie Vento and David Lewis. Honorary pallbearers will be Greg Pullin, Neil Klepach and Jeremy Lofton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Earline Sumner Memorial Nursing Scholarship at Guaranty Bank, 1425 Sidney Baker, Kerrville, TX 78028. The account number for the Earline sumner memorial nursing scholarship at Guaranty bank is #778446013.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville.
WELDON A. GATLIN
Weldon A. Gatlin, age 82, of Bandera, died Tuesday, Oct. 21 in a local care center. He was born March 11, 1921 in Cushing, Texas to Wilburn and Maude Mae Needham Gatlin. On March 27, 1953, he married
Faye Solomon in San Antonio. Mr. Gatlin was a projectionist in the movie industry, was a member of the Theatrical Stage local #76, was a 60 year Mason, a member of the Davy Crockett Lodge # 1225 AF&AM;, and was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Shiner.
Survivors include his wife Faye, two sisters, Hilda Hargrove of Beaumont and Mildred Williams of Woodville, and brother, James Ray Gatlin.
Graveside Services were Saturday, Oct. 25, at Pipe Creek cemetery, with Pastor Chris Mallia officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Copper Valley Nursing Home.
INEZ MAYFIELD
Inez Mayfield, age 88, of Medina, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, in a Kerrville care center. She was born April 22, 1915 in Fredericksburg to Jesse and Zula Sutton Miller. On April 29, 1936, she married
Floyd Mayfield in Kerrville. He preceded her in death on Oct. 26, 1984. Inez, affectionately known to her friends and family as Icy, worked for Collins of Texas for 25 years as a shipping clerk and was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Medina.
Survivors include her daughter, LaNelle Kirk and husband Larry of Medina, son, Jerry Mayfield and wife Jean of Fredericksburg, 3 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. Services were Friday, Oct. 10 at Medina First Baptist Church with Dr. Allie Balko officiating. Interment followed in Oak Rest cemetery. Pallbearers were Roddy Mayfield, Randy MacNaughton, Todd Whitewood, Scott MacNaughton, Gary Stokes and Collin Stokes. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Medina. Arrangements were under the direction of Grimes Funeral Chapel of Bandera.
LOLETTE FAY SORSBY
Lolette Fay Sorsby, age 84, of Pipe Creek, died Thursday, Oct. 9 in a San Antonio hospital. She was born on Sept. 27, 1919 in Hext, Texas. As a young child she worked in the fields on the Bailey Ranch picking cotton. This is where she developed her pioneer spirit that made her a very strong, self-reliant and determined person. If she decided she could do something, she did not stop until she accomplished it. She was a member of West University Baptist Church in Houston. When she was in her thirties, she bacame an LVN and worked as a private duty nurse in Uvalde, San Antonio, and Houston where she nursed under some world famous doctors including Dr. DuBakey, the heart surgeon. She loved being a nurse and raising kids as this allowed her to take care of and minister to other peoples needs.
Her ancestors date back to settlers of Texas and records show the original settler was a Doctor who received Spanish land grants from the Stephen F. Austin Colony and land grants from the Robinson Colony. The family finally settled and lived out the remainder of their lives in Menard County where, a number of years later, Lolette was born.
On Aug. 4, 1937, she married
Harry F. Childs and from this union three children were born. Fay Rowiena, Earl Harry and Jimmy Wane. She would later marry Alton Curry Cure and give birth to Beverly Aline. In her golden years, she would marry Wate Sorsby and provide a loving home for her two grandsons, Dwayne Sorsby and Deonne Estes, and this was one of her prized accomplishments.
She is survived by Bennie and Fay Honaker, Pipe Creek, Earl and Karen Childs, San Antonio, Col. Jimmie Wane and Linda Childs, BeeBe, Arkansas and Beverly Aline Higham, Pasadena, and adopted son, Dwayne and Jennifer Sorsby. She leaves 11 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. One will be arriving sometime this month. She was especially proud of this and in July of this year her family had their fifth generation picture made at Wal-Mart, marking her third successive fifth generation picture in which she appeared as great-great grandmother, great-grand and grandmother.
She developed Alzheimer's late in life and lived the last three years with Fay and Bennie in Pipe Creek. She loved being in the country and would sit for hours on the porch watching the wildlife.
Services were Monday, Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m., Grimes Chapel, with Pastor Timm Lovelace officiating. Interment followed in the Pipe Creek cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Grimes Funeral Chapel of Bandera.
WILLIAM H. MAY
William H. May, 56, of Bandera, died Monday, July 28, at his residence. He was born Jan. 19, 1947 in Cisco to Alvis Truett May and Frankie B. Hall May. On July 9, 1988, he married
Eileen Fitzpatrick in Bandera. Bill served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict and had worked for the Kerr County Sheriffs Department. Survivors include his wife Eileen, daughters, Kelly May of Long Beach, California, and Shannon Tackett and husband John of Bandera, sisters, Geraldine Wolfle of San Antonio, Alisa Dollar of Lubbock, Nancy Ross of Kerrville, and one grandchild, Hailey Tackett of Bandera. Services were Thursday, July 31, at 10 a.m. at Grimes Chapel, with Rev. Frank Pullin officiating. Interment followed in the Catholic cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Lance Armstrong Foundation and/or the Susan G . Komen Foundation. Arrangements were under the direction of Grimes Funeral Chapel of Bandera.
BARBARA ADAMIETZ
Barbara Adamietz, 58, of Round Rock, passed away at her residence on Wednesday, July 30.
Born Jan. 8, 1945, in Bandera, Barbara was the daughter of John Joseph Adamietz and Jeanetta Frances (Mazurek) Adamietz. Her parents preceded her in death. Barbara had resided in the Round Rock area for the past 27 years. She was employed at Solectron at the time of her death.
Barbara is survived by her brothers and sisters, Michael Adamietz of Ft. Worth; Johnny Adamietz of Bandera; Gerald Adamietz of Hondo; Mary Yago of Kerrville, and Deborah Pankratz of Kerrville; along with their families, other loving relatives and many dear friends.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 8 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 3201 Sunrise Rd. in Round Rock with Rev. Samuel Hose as Celebrant. Other services will be private.
For those desiring, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society.
Please honor Barbara by visiting her memorial at www.cookwalden.com. Through this site you are invited to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family. Arrangements are by Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 N. IH-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660 Call 512-251-4118.
PAUL J. LASKOWSKI
Paul J. Laskowski, 98, of Bandera died Thursday, August 14, at his residence on English Crossing Rd. He was born in Gonzales, on Jan. 23, 1905 to Annie (Brozozowski) and Felix Laskowski. Affectionately called "Appie" by his grandchildren and close friends, he was a great story-teller, and often told of moving from Gonzales to Bandera over 85 years ago when the trip took four days by covered wagon. He settled in the English Crossing area, where he ranched. On July 1, 1936, he married
Beatrice Rose Jureczki in Bandera at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, where they have remained devoted members through the years. He was active in the restoration of St. Joseph's Catholic School and the church's museum. Mr. Laskowski was loyal to his family, friends, church, and community. He was an excellent carpenter, and there are many homes and other buildings in the area that were constructed with his expertise and under his supervision as he patiently taught others carpentry skills. He also assisted youth with their show animals and was an active 4-H supporter. His employment career terminated following completion of his work for the Bandera County Appraisal District at the courthouse in the 1970s.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Beatrice Laskowski, of Bandera, daughters, Gladys Schmidt and husband, Johnie, of Bandera, and Betty D'Spain and husband, Kenneth of Green River, Wyoming, sons, Edward Paul Laskowski and wife, Annette, of Montgomery, and Thomas Laskowski and wife, Jan, of Pahrump, Nevada, sister, Sophie Annie Laskowski Mazurek of Pipe Creek, 14 grandchildren, Vivian, Greg, Timmy, and Daniel Schmidt, Lori Kiolbassa, Kenny, Rodney, and Bobby D'Spain, Daphne Houlihan, Eddie and Jason Laskowski, Tamby Ewing, Shane Laskowski, and Shelly Peterson, and 22 great grandchildren. A rosary was held at Grimes Chapel Sunday, August 17, at 7 p.m. with Bobby Stein officiating. Funeral mass was held Monday, August 18, at 9 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with Father Damian Tomiccek as celebrant. Interment followed in the Catholic cemetery. Serving as pallbearers were grandsons Gregory, Timothy, and Daniel Schmidt, Jason, Eddie, and Shane Laskowski, Kenny, Rodney, and Bobby D'Spain, and great grandsons Zackory, Brayton, and Kade Schmidt, Tyler, Andrew, Taylor, Matt, Ethan, Keenan, and Kendrick D'Spain, and Christopher Laskowski. Named as honorary pallbearers were Lou Mack, Gary Johnston, Johnie Schmidt, Kenneth D'Spain, James Duff, Wayne Wharton, Arkey Blue, Chris Kiolbassa, Dave Houlihan, Bryan Ewing, and Jody Peterson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Church Restoration, in care of Father Stan Oleksy.
Grimes Funeral Chapel of Bandera was in charge of arrangements.
GINGER SPENCER
Ginger Spencer, 65, of Rockdale, died Wednesday, July 20, in a Rockdale Care Center.
She was born Oct. 2, 1937 in Ada, Oklahoma, to James M. and Ruth Opal Patterson Shipman. On Dec. 22, 1956, she married
Donald Wayne Spencer in Pryor, Oklahoma. Ginger was a very active member of the Women's Missionary Union of her church.
In addition to her husband Don of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, survivors include daughters, Janet Butler and husband Barry of Gallup, New Mexico, and Julie Shearhart and husband Bob of Medina, sons, Steve Spencer and wife Dawn of Mound Valley, Kansas, and Phillip Spencer and wife Christine of Bandera, sister, Virgie Lois Longcrier of Tulsa, Oklahoma, four grandchildren and two nephews, Loren and Rick Longcrier. She was preceded in death by sister Ruth Merle Shipman and brother, James Richard Shipman.
Graveside services were Aug. 4, at the Tarpley cemetery, with Jerry Jones officiating. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation.
Arrangements were under the direction of Grimes Funeral Chapel Of Bandera.
