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August 26, 1947 – May 24, 2006
Sorrow and pain has filled our hearts since our beloved Leroy was first diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. God saw fit to call him from his home in Giddings to Himself in Heaven at 10:43 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24, 2006. Our broken hearts are comforted by God’s love and grace.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 27, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Christ in Giddings, Tx. Roy Hardestry officiated. Burial followed in the Giddings City Cemetery. Pallbearers were Michael Bock, Glenn Starns I, Glenn Starns II, Gerald Starns, James Starns and Lamar Starns.
Leroy was born on August 26, 1947 in Elsa, Texas to Howell Byron & Oma Viola (Gilley) Starns. He lived in the valley most of his life and went to school in Edcouch-Elsa, Texas where he was the “#1 Fan” of the fighting Yellow Jacket football team. He went to many of their games and cheered them on, win or lose. Leroy remained loyal to his team and was a true fan, always and forever. He moved to Giddings six years ago to live with his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Jack Bowen. Leroy grew to love Giddings and all of the people in it and considered it his new hometown.
He loved everything about life from his genuine love for good old country music to a simple little flower. When he loved something, it was with his whole heart and his love was always true. He enjoyed going to church and was a faithful member of the Church of Christ in Giddings. Leroy’s favorite singer of all time was the one and only “Miss Kitty Wells”. Besides listening to old country music, he also enjoyed walking around town shopping and visiting with people and storekeepers. He would get so tickled to find a good deal and couldn’t wait to get home and show his sister, “Miss Mary”.
Leroy enjoyed visiting with everyone but there was always a special place in his heart for the children at his sister’s daycare, Little Buffs. In Leroy’s last hour, he was blessed with a special visit from some of the children. As they gathered around him, they sang “You are my sunshine”, “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. We came to realize that they loved Leroy as much as he loved them.
Leroy was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Joann Triplett; brother, Wayne Starns; nephew, Bryan Krska and brother-in-law, Leland Armstrong.
Leroy touched so many lives with his kindness, simpleness and genuine love for all. He will be deeply missed by everyone he left behind including his brothers, James & Barbara Starns of Alice; Lamar Starns of California; Gerald & Janet Starns of LaPorte; and Glenn & Chris Starns of LaPorte; his sisters, Mary Sue & Jack Bowen of Giddings; Alma Fay Armstrong of Edinburg; and Sylvia & Dale Peters of Pasadena; brother-in-law, Larry Triplett of Edinburg as well as nieces, nephews and numerous other relatives and friends.
Our mighty Yellow Jacket now has his “Angel Wings”.
March 16, 1965 – May 28, 2006
Jere Charles Showalter, III, 41, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2006 in Giddings. A funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, June 1, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Giddings. Burial will follow in the Giddings City Cemetery. The Reverend John Davis will officiate.
Jere was born on March 16, 1965 to Jere Charles Showalter, II and Vernille Winkler in Fort Worth, Texas. He was married to Glenda Shannon in November of 1998 and was a Real Estate Broker, most recently working with the ReMax Realtors.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and dirt bike riding, as well as barbecuing. He had a natural love of music and enjoyed playing the guitar. His many hobbies included woodworking, carpentry, being an UT Longhorn Football fan and Chairman of the Giddings Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.
Jere was also a member of the City of Giddings Planning and Zoning Commission.
He is survived by his wife, Glenda; their three children, Nicholas Parker, Zoe Showalter and Victoria Showalter, all of Giddings; his parents, Jere and Vernille Showalter of Liberty, Texas; a sister, Sharon Tomme of Giddings; nephew Charles Duncan of Giddings; Parents-in-law, Michael and Glenda Shannon of Hull, Texas; Brother-in-law and wife, Michael and Christy Shannon of Batson, Texas and numerous other relatives and friends.
Jere was preceded in death by his grandparents, Oscar and Clara Winkler and Jere and Hazel Showalter.