Thomas Goertz

Thomas Leo Goertz, age 94, of Rockne, Texas passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 12, 2017.

He was born July 7, 1922 in Red Rock, Texas to Joe B. and Anna Goertz. In 1943, he joined the Army Air Corps where he was an aircraft mechanic working on P-38s during WWII.

He married Alberta Lehman in Westphalia, Texas on December 28, 1948. Together they raised 8 children in Rockne, Texas. He loved his land and raised cattle, chickens, turkeys, and grew a large garden. He retired in 1984 from 31 years of working with the Texas Highway Department where he helped construct many new roads and bridges throughout the state. After retirement, he could be found travelling, working in his pasture, cutting hundreds of cords of wood, reading, working puzzles, and sharing good stories. He was devoted to Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he volunteered his time as sacristan, lector, parish council member, religion teacher, and Eucharistic minister to the sick. He and his wife visited the Bastrop nursing homes for many years, where he served as Eucharistic minister and Bingo caller. Thomas was a hard-working and dependable individual. He was a natural historian who was very proud of his German Catholic heritage. He thoroughly enjoyed family cook-outs and gatherings.

He is survived by 6 daughters: Sharon and husband Paul Schnack, Janet and husband James Rathmann, Cheryl Daniel, Aileen and husband Horace Dixon, Lisa and husband Bill Gossett, Denise and husband Scott Culpepper; son Kenneth and wife Beverly Goertz; 23 grandchildren: Robin, Ronnie, Aaron, Judith, Jacob, Tennille, Ryan, Joseph, Christi, Melinda, Nicole, Kelley, Tom, Sarah, Kate, Jessica, Danielle, Ivan, William, Trevor, Claire, Connor, and Tyler; 27 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; 3 siblings: Anita Sanders, Doris Cook, and Teresa Goertz; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Alberta, son Ronald, granddaughter Camille Daniel, son-in-law Mark Daniel, and 3 brothers: Raymond, Francis, and Bernard.

Visitation will be held Sunday, April 16, 2017, from 6-8 PM with rosary beginning at 7 PM at Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home, Bastrop, Texas. The funeral service will be on Monday, April 17, 2017, at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Rockne, Texas.

Memorials in Thomas Goertz's name can be made to Down Home Ranch, 20250 FM 619, Elgin, TX 78621. www.downhomeranch.org

Daddy, you were the smartest man we knew, and you set a fine example of living a modest and faith-filled life. Your caring spirit will live in our hearts forever.