James B. Ford, Jr., a longtime resident of Kenedy, Texas, went to be with the Lord, Monday, November 11, 2013 at 3:15 A.M., in the Otto Kaiser memorial Hospital, Kenedy Texas at the age of 75 years, 3 months and 23 days.

James was born on July 13, 1938 in Orange Grove, Texas, the son of James B. Ford, Sr., and Agnes E. Schacherl Ford. He attended Pettus and Choate schools and was later drafted to the United States Army during the Berlin Wall era. After having proudly served in the Army, James married Brenda Peeples in Kenedy, Texas on July 18, 1964. James worked various jobs for different oil field companies throughout Texas. James was a member of the Church of Christ Church in Kenedy, where he and his wife, Brenda were both active.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Peeples Ford of Kenedy; his 2 sisters, Mary Louise Underbrink and husband Robert and Jo Ann Slane and husband Wade both of Kenedy and his 3 nieces, 1 nephew, numerous cousins and a host of friends. 

Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 12, 2013 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., in the Eckols Chapel, Kenedy, Texas.  Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, November 13, 2013, in the chapel. Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Elaine DeLeon, a resident of George West and formally of Pawnee, Texas, passed away surrounded by her family in the Live Oak Nursing Center in George West, Texas, Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at the age of 85 years, 1 month and 19 days.

Elaine was born in Coy City, Texas, September 17, 1928 the daughter of Serapio DeLaGarza and Petra Casarez DeLaGarza. On May 6, 1945, Elaine married Henry DeLeon; together the two of them started a life together and decided to raise a family. From this came 6 children. Elaine and Henry opened DeLeon Café and Grocery Store in Pawnee, Texas; together with their children, Elaine and Henry operated and ran the café. After exactly 55 years of marriage, Henry preceded Elaine in death, May 6, 2000.

Elaine is survived by her children, Betty Aguirre and husband Ronnie of George West, Jimmy DeLeon and wife Margaret of Pawnee, Duffy DeLeon and wife Annie of Pawnee, Bobby DeLeon and wife Mary of Pawnee, Rickey DeLeon and wife Kay of Kenedy and Albert DeLeon and wife Blanca of George West; her sisters, Emma Alaniz of Kenedy and Minnie Friesenhahn of Aransas Pass, Texas and her sister-in-law, Juanita DeLaGarza of Coy City. Elaine is also survived by her 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Ms. DeLeon is preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Eva Salas; her brothers, Pete DeLaGarza, Israel DeLaGarza and Adam DeLaGarza and her grandson, Joe Henry DeLeon.

Visitation will be held, Thursday, November 7, 2013 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas with a rosary to be recited, Thursday at 7:00 P.M., in the chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Friday, November 8, 2013 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Pawnee, Texas with Rev. George Johnson and Rev. Ryzard Zielinski officiating. Interment will follow at De Ntra Sra De Guadalupe Cemetery, Pawnee, Texas. Serving as pallbearers will be, Jimmy, Duffy, Bobby, Rickey and Albert DeLeon and Ronnie Aguirre. Honorary pallbearers will be, Carl Lindquist, Pete Salas, Jr., and all of Elaine’s grandchildren.

Paul K. May, Sr., a lifelong resident of Kenedy, Texas entered eternal rest, surrounded by his family in his home, Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at 12:20 P. M., at the age of 84.

Paul was born and raised in Kenedy, Texas, November 27, 1928 the son of J.A. May, Sr., and Alice Kauffman May. Paul enjoyed his life in Kenedy and on February 12, 1949 married, Mary Alice May. Paul worked as a dairy man for many years and he and his wife Mary Alice took great pride in owning their family restaurant, Barth’s in Kenedy. Paul was a member of the Karnes County Country Club and enjoyed playing golf and even more so, enjoyed attending and supporting all of his grandchildren’s activities. He was an avid Aggie fan and could be found rooting for the team any given Saturday during football season. Paul also enjoyed going to Barth’s for meals and seeing old friends and keeping the staff “in line”.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife of over 64 years, Mary Alice May of Kenedy and his children, Sharon Rinehart and husband Mike of Red Rock, Paul K. May, Jr., and wife Patty of Austin, Candace May of Kenedy, Lyndale Gray and husband Farrell of Roanoke, Carol Liberty and husband Gerry of Magnolia, Arkansas, Elizabeth Miller and husband Dave of Atlanta, Georgia, Melanie Ferguson and husband Tim of Kenedy and James May of Kenedy. Paul is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Leslie May, Meredith Fishering, Matt May, Kelsie Gray, Austin Gray, Haley Gray, Elizabeth Liberty, Steven Liberty, Colby May, Sheldon May, Kalli Ferguson and Mackenzi Ferguson. Heis also survived by Beverly May, numerous nieces and nephews and his cousin, Mrs. Nancy Kauffmann Avant. Mr. May is preceded in death by his parents, J.A., Sr., and Alice May; his brother, J.A. May Jr., and his sister, Alice Elise.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 P.M., Friday, November 1, 2013 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy Texas. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, November 2, 2013 in the funeral home chapel with interment following in the Kenedy Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be, Mike Rinehart, Farrell Gray, Gerry Liberty, Dave Miller, Tim Ferguson, John Foster, Colby May, Sheldon May, Austin Gray, Matt May, Steven Liberty, Ty Neal, Reid Fishering and Lance Byars. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be, Frank Knocke, Roger Overby, Bob Dietz, Amos Harden, Eddie Ruhmann, Tom Slaughter and Jimmy Holland.

The May family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our staff at Barth’s. Their friendship and dedication is greatly appreciated. We would also like to extend many thanks to Nurses In Touch of Kenedy. Annette, Kelly, Kathy and the rest of the staff who were so considerate and thoughtful in the care of Paul.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to, Nurses In Touch Hospice, Inc.; 491 N Sunset Strip, St # 106, Kenedy, Texas 78119.

Olivia A. Guerra, a lifelong resident of Kenedy, Texas, passed away in her home, Sunday, October 27, 2013, at 12:10 P.M., at the age of 74 years, 3 months and 8 days.

Olivia was born, July 19, 1939 in Karnes County, Texas the daughter of Ernesto Aguirre and Catarina Caballero Aguirre. She was raised in the Karnes area and on November 29, 1959 married Ruben C. Guerra in Karnes City, Texas. Together, Olivia and Ruben had 4 daughters and 2 sons; Olivia was a devoted and loving homemaker and took great pride in her children. Olivia was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kenedy, Texas.

Mrs. Guerra is survived by her husband of over 53 years, Ruben C. Guerra; her daughters, Esmeralda Guerra of Kenedy, Anita Hodge and husband Chris of Ranger, Frances Ramirez and husband Jorge of Hebbronville and Ofelia Fuentes of Kenedy; her son, Ruben David Guerra and wife Pat of El Paso and her sisters, Ofilia Saenz, Otilia Gonzales, Odilia Alvarado and Orsilia Gonzales. Olivia is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Joe “J.J.” Guerra and her sister, Ofelia Austin.

Visitation will be held, Wednesday, October 30, 2013 and a rosary will be recited, Wednesday at 7:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, October 31, 2013 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Kenedy, Texas with Rev. Norbert Herman officiating. Interment will follow in the Loma Alta Cemetery, Kenedy, Texas. Serving as pallbearers will be, Ruben D. Guerra, Jorge L. Ramirez, Sr., Jorge L. Ramirez, Jr., James A. Ramirez, Christopher Hodge, Victor Gonzalez, Michael Barnes and Domingo Garces. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be, Joe Alvarado, Vidal Garza and Jimmy Burns.

Lydia E. DeLosSantos, surrounded by her family, passed away peacefully in her home in Kenedy, Texas, Friday, October 25, 2013, at 6:35 A.M., at the age of 62 years, 6 months and 21 days.

Lydia was born in Karnes County, Texas to Valentin Escamilla and Maria Saenz Escamilla on April 4, 1951. She married George DeLosSantos on September 17, 1977. The two of them began a life in Kenedy and raised a family. Lydia was of the Pentecostal faith and was a devoted pastor’s wife and loving mother.  

Lydia is preceded in death by her parents, Valentin and Maria Escamilla and her brother David Escamilla. Mrs. DeLosSantos is survived by her beloved husband of 36 years, George DeLosSantos; her sons, Anthony DeLosSantos and wife Lisa, Josh DeLosSantos and wife Nelda and Isaac DeLosSantos all of Kenedy; her sisters, Frances Rodriguez of Beeville, Ruth Chano of Beeville, Ester Charles of Runge, Febe Escamilla of Karnes City and Eva Aguilar of Lancaster. She is also survived by her brothers, Miguel Escamilla of Weslaco, Cosme Escamilla of Weslaco, Valentin Escamilla, Jr., of Tuleta and Samuel Escamilla of Grand Prairie and her 6 beloved grandchildren, Nathaniel, Aliah, Georie, Jauez, Marcus and Naomi.

A prayer service will be held beginning at 6:00 P.M., Sunday, October 28, 2013 at UPLCII Pentecostal Headquarters in Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services will begin at 10:00 A.M., Monday, October 28, 2013 at UPLCII Pentecostal Headquarters with Rev. Isaac DeLosSantos and Rev. Anthony DeLosSantos officiating. Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery.

Leon Davis Fudge, a resident of Kenedy, Texas for the past 25 years, passed away at Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, Thursday, October 24, 2013 at the age of 74 years, 11 months and 2 days.

Leon was born, November 22, 1938 in Poteet, Texas, the daughter of Guy Burns and Margaret Brunner Burns. She was a nurse and worked at different rest homes and nursing home around the area. In May 2012, Leon married Welton Fudge. Mrs. Fudge is survived by her husband, Welton Fudge; her daughter, Margaret Davis of Corpus Christi; her sons, Glen Davis, Jr., of Mathis, Re Wiley Davis of Springs and Norman Leon Davis, Sr., of Houston;  her sister, Betty Lucille Wade of Portland and 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Leon is preceded in death by her parents, Guy and Margaret Burns.

Visitation will be held, Saturday, October 26, 2013 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel from 6:00-9:00 P.M. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 P.M., Sunday October 27, 2013 also in the funeral home chapel with Russell Briley officiating. Interment will follow in the Kenedy Cemetery with Glen S. Davis, Jr., Glen S. Davis, III, Re Wiley Davis, Norman L. Davis, Sr., Norman L. Davis, Jr., Jay N. Davis, Christopher W. Davis, Daniel Strnad and Jermial Brown serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to; Texas Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America; 2656 So. Loop W, Ste. 130; Houston, TX 77054.

Roland “Dutch” Rabenaldt of Karnes City, Texas, passed away, October 17, 2013 in the Bluebonnet Nursing and Rehab Center in Karnes City at the age of 91. Dutch was born, December 22, 1921.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM, Sunday, October 20, 2013 in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services will begin at 10 AM, Monday, October 21, 2013 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Kenedy with interment following at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery, Yorktown, Texas.

Robert G. Cruz, 64, of Kenedy, Texas, passed away October 16, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas. Robert was born in Lubbock, Texas, February 5, 1949 the son of Santornino Cruz and Olivia Gutierrez Cruz.

Robert is survived by his mother; 3 sons and 1 daughter. A rosary will be recited at 1 PM, Monday, October 21, 2013, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel and a memorial service will begin at 1:30 PM, Monday in the chapel.