Jeanne Russell Ruhmann was born in Canaan, CT to James E. and Mabel Veale Russell on June 24, 1934. And died on April 25, 2024 in Floresville Nursing Home at the age of 89 .  She moved with her family to Kenedy, TX in 1936, and eventually settled in Floresville in 1936, and graduated from high school in Floresville in 1951, married Eddie Ruhmann in June, spent a few years in the army, and then settled back in Kenedy in 1953 where she raised their two sons, and called home for over 60 years.

Jeanne was a member of the First Baptist Church in Kenedy.  She owned and operated the Southern Office Supply with her husband for many years.  She was active in her church, school activites, and many civic organizations in the city.  In 2011 the Kenedy Chamber of Commerce honored Jeanne and Eddie as “Citizens of the Year”.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, James E. and Mable Veale Russell, her husband Eddie, and her son Paul, and her brother Jim.  She is survived by her son Russ (Yvonne), grandsons Zach (Lauren) and Trent (Breanna), and granddaughters Quinn and Sloane.  She is also survived by her sister Karen (Bob), and by several nieces and nephews.

Jeanne will be missed by many friends and people she touched throughout the years.  We would like to thank and acknowledge the staff and administrators for their care and friendship throughout her stay at New Haven in Floresville, Texas.

Family Visitation will be held Monday, April 29, 2024 from 12 Noon to 1PM with Services beginning at 1PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Richard Robinson officiating.  Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers: Zach Ruhmann, Trent Ruhmann, Jimmy Russell, Tony Garrant, Mike Newberry and Glen Kusak.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Laine Ewing, Brandon Blackburn, Bob Alexander and Mike Andrews.

Memorials may be made to the Kenedy Cemetery.

Adela Jew of San Antonio, Tx formerly of Kenedy Tx, was called home into the arms of God on April 11, 2024. She was brought into this world July 1, 1984, by her parents Maria G. (Reyna) Ramos and Daniel C. Ramos. From there forth she lived and brought joy to the hearts of her family in so many ways. She found the love of her life when she married her devoted husband of 14 years, Paul Daniel Jew Jr. on May 5, 2009. Together they raised their beloved fur child Oogie Jew. She is survived by her older sister Dolores Segura (Mando Segura) of San Antonio, and her nephews Esteban, Michael, Mario & Simon Hernandez and their children who all deeply cherished her. She was given the grace of being in the comfort of her home with those she loved in San Antonio Tx, when God called her home. She will be welcomed by the loved ones who preceded her in death, her mother Maria G. Ramos, her big brother Joe Simon Sandoval, father Daniel C. Ramos, and grandfather Simon T. Reyna. Her passionate personality of love for music and fun made her truly a memorable person. She will be missed so dearly but her memory and love will remain in the hearts of those of us whose lives she touched. Forever missed but never truly forgotten. Visitation will be Friday, April 26, 2024 from 4PM to 7PM  with Memorial Services and a Holy Rosary to begin at 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Private Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Billy Allen Welkener of Pawnee, Texas was called to his heavenly home on Tuesday, April 17, 2024, at the age of 85 years.  He was residing at the LiveOak Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in George West at the time of his passing.

Billy was born on December 31, 1938, in Beeville Texas to William and Sally Welkener of Pawnee.    He attended school in Pawnee, graduating in 1957.  He participated in all sports and excelled in all sports according to one of his classmates.  The basketball team went to the State playoffs in 1956. 

He graduated from then Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) with Batchelor and Master of Education degrees.  He also achieved a Doctor of Education degree during his career as a School Administrator. 

Billy was a loyal member of the Pawnee Methodist Church, serving as Church Council Chair for a few years.  He loved singing “This Is The Day” at the beginning of services.

He began his long career in education, coaching and administration in the Skidmore-Tynan Schools.  He also served in the Gregory-Portland School District and served the majority of his school career in the Austwell-Tivoli School District, as the Principal and then served many years as the Superintendent of Schools there until his retirement. 

Billy grew up on the Welkener ranch helping his Dad with cattle and farming.  He kept raising cattle as a side career, and in the 1970’s began raising Beefmaster cattle.  He found his passion in the BEEFMASTER cattle.  He became a member of the national Beefmaster Breeders United organization.  He joined the Live Oak Beefmaster Association and was an active member of that association becoming the President for several terms, serving the LOBBA for over 28 years. 

Billy received the prestigious LIVE OAK LEGEND Award in 2013, Breeder of the Year in 2007, and Member of the Year in 2011.  He served on the BBU National Board of Directors, as well as several committees to help further the Beefmaster cattle industry.  He served on the BBU International Committee and was instrumental in bringing Beefmaster cattle to Mexico and other South American countries.  He enjoyed traveling to Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Canada and Australia promoting Beefmaster cattle and making lifelong friends in these countries. 

Next to cattle, Billy enjoyed hunting with his friends in Colorado, and fishing at Pt Mansfield with Beefmaster friends.   Billy and Marie married in 2002, and spent their time together serving BBU, attending BBU conventions, and other social events, and when there was dance music playing, they were out on the dance floor.  Billy learned to dance after meeting Marie and his favorite dance was the waltz.

Billy’s son, Bradley preceded him in going to Heaven, and they will have a reunion now.  Billy is survived by his wife, Marie, and sons that he gained through their marriage, Steve Doty, Jim Doty, and Mike Doty along with their spouses, former daughter in law, Michaela Doty.   He also welcomed Marie’s grandchildren as his own, Ashley Abbey, John Chance Doty, Patrick Doty, James Doty, Colton Doty, Matt Doty and Hadley Doty and great grandchildren, Brody, Baylee and Greyson Abbey, Kacie and Shelby Doty, Amelia Doty, and Cayson and Cayleigh Doty.  He is also survived by his sister Saundra and her husband Elton Lieke, and their children and grandchildren.  Several cousins also survive him.

Family Visitation will be Sunday, April 21, 2024 from 5PM to 7PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel. Services will be held Monday, April 22, 2024 at 11AM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Christi Crist officiating. Interment will follow in the Pawnee Cemetery in Pawnee, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers are his Grandsons: Chance Doty, Patrick Doty, James Doty, Colton Doty, Matthew Doty and Cody Abbey.

Honorary Pall Bearers: Live Oak Beefmaster Breeders Association Board Members and Pawnee Methodist Church Methodist Men.

Memorials may be made to the Pawnee United Methodist Church Building Fund.

Jim Tobe Atkinson, a resident of Kenedy, TX, passed away April 2, 2024. He was born in Kenedy on March 4, 1939, to Marion M. and Annie Wallace Atkinson. In 1958, he wed Jean Lois Milam Atkinson in San Antonio, and together they shared a love for horses, rodeo, hunting, and fishing – particularly in Alaska.

In partnership with his father, he was an owner/operator of the Texaco Distributorship in Kenedy and the M.M. Atkinson & Son Cattle Company. In addition to the family cattle business, he was the Manager for Hendrickson Cattle Co. and Vaquero Cattle Co. in Texas. An avid horseman during the 1960s, he focused on breeding and showing Appaloosas. As his daughter began riding and showing Quarter Horses, he became involved with the Alamo Quarter Horse Breeders Association serving in leadership positions both on and off the track.

Beginning in 1966, Jim Tobe dedicated many hours to the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc., in various roles as a volunteer, Life Member, Director, and Director Emeritus. In recognition of his contributions and support to the organization, he was inducted into the S.A.L.E. Hall of Fame in 2008. He also served his community as a Hondo Creek Watershed board member from 1981 until his passing. In “retirement”, he was a security guard at the Valero plant in Three Rivers, and he and Jean traveled annually to their favorite places – Ruidoso, NM and Las Vegas, NV.

Jim Tobe was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jean, and sister-in-law Mary Spreen. He is survived by his daughter Jamie and son-in-law Larry Brown of Kenedy, grandson Dusty Brown and his wife Julie of Kenedy, great-granddaughter Kate Brown of College Station, sister-in-law Ann Ransdell and husband Tom of Boerne, brother-in-law Louis Spreen and wife Mary Ann of San Antonio, as well as nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27th, at 11 a.m. at the Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc. or Pawnee United Methodist Church Building Fund are appreciated.

David Lerma, Jr., Age 49 of San Antonio, TX passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024.  David was born on May 1, 1974 in Floresville, TX to David, Sr. and Mary Jane Villanueva Lerma.  He was an Asset Protection Officer for Home Depot, a loving Father, Son a friend to all and of the Catholic Faith.

He is survived by his parents, David, Sr. and Mary Jane Villanueva Lerma of San Antonio; daughters, Davida Jane Lerma of San Antonio, Jada Lerma of San Antonio, step-daughter, Adlen Tamayo of San Antonio; grandson Leo Rodriguez of San Antonio; half-brother Paul Lerma of San Antonio; numerous aunts, uncles and extended family members and friends who will greatly miss him.

Visitation will be held Monday, April 8, 2024 from 11AM to 1:30PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel.  Rosary Services will begin at 1:30PM Monday, April 8, 2024 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Deacon Guadalupe Cantu officiating. Interment will follow in the Falls City Cemetery in Falls City, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers: Ebony Lerma, Paul Lerma, Alex Martinez, Jr., Eric Morin, Eli Silfuentes and Lupe Hernandez.

Ray Rene Perez, Age 61 of Kenedy, TX passed away on April 2, 2024 in San Antonio, TX.  Ray was born on July 30, 1962 in Kenedy to Nicho Perez and Josephina Garcia Gonzales.  He was a loving father, grandfather, son friend to many and of the Catholic Faith.

He is preceded in death by his father, Nicho Perez. 

He is survived by his mother, Josephina Garcia Gonzales; children, Cynthia Perez, Wendy Contreras, Ray Rene Perez, Jr., Ray Daniel Perez, Ray Rene Perez, III, Omar Perez, Nico Ivan Contreras; sisters, Eloisa Contreras, Margaret Corona; brothers, Gary Gonzales, Raul Garza; 10 Grandchildren and numerous half sisters and brothers and extended family members.

Family Visitation will be held Friday, April 5, 2024 from 10AM to 1:30 PM with Holy Rosary Services at 1:30 PM in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Deacon Guadalupe Cantu officiating.   Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers: Nico Ivan Contreras, Ray Rene Perez, Jr., Ray Rene Perez, III, Gary G. Gonzalez, Raul Garza, Ray Daniel Perez.

Rick “Joe Richard” Garza, 56, passed away following complications from ALS on March 24, 2024 in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Rick, a loving husband and father, was known for his kindness, intelligence, and passion for coaching and sports. He inspired countless young women on the softball field, instilling in them the values of confidence, leadership, and hard work. Even in the face of difficult situations, he was known to be wise, level-headed, and a great mediator. He was patient and taught that there is a process to achieving worthwhile goals.  “Trust the process.” he would often say. Rick was also a proud Texan and American, with a strong sense of patriotism and love for his country.

Rick graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and was a financial advisor for over 30 years. He dedicated his career to helping others secure their financial futures. Rick loved the game of softball and spent the last 12 years of his life coaching, creating a positive impact on the lives of many young athletes and their families.  With his family he lived and worked in Southwest Austin for 25 years and recently moved to Corpus Christi.

Rick was strong in his Catholic faith. Even as he battled with ALS, his faith strengthened for him to see God working throughout his life. Despite his illness, he enjoyed attending Mass with his wife and youngest daughters.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother, Evangelina Garza; father, Manuel Garza, and sister, Diane Garza. He is survived by his wife, April; children, Jacob, Rebekah, Adah, and Eliana Garza; his brother, Manuel Jr and sister-in-law Maria Garza and their children Geoffrey Garza and Sarah Flores. He will be dearly missed by his family and a wide circle of friends and colleagues.

Services for Rick will be held at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church (605 Karnes St, Kenedy, TX 78119), on Saturday, April 6. The schedule includes a viewing at 8:30 – 9:30 am, followed by a Rosary at 9:30 and funeral Mass at 10:00 am. A luncheon will be held after the Mass in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a financial contribution to www.ALS.org/donate.

The burial ceremony will be at a later date this spring (TBD) at Loma Alta Cemetery in Kenedy.