The Brownsville Herald - Online Edition Obituaries, August 2, 2006 DR. GEORGE D. THOMPSON Dr. George D. Thompson of West, died Monday, July 31, 2006, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Thompson was born in Hillsboro, Texas, on Aug. 12, 1924, to Anderson Eugene Thompson and Flora May Simmons Thompson. He entered the United States Army Air Corps immediately before graduating from Hillsboro High School. He enlisted on April 15, 1943, and served three and a half years. After training in several bases in the United States, he spent the later part of the war in the China, Burma India Command, and flew "The Hump" as a navigator-radio operator in C-46 and C-47 planes. After his discharge in 1946, he started his college work at Hillsboro Jr. College. From there he transferred to Baylor University, Waco, Texas, and in May 1949 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in psychology with a minor in education. In August 1950, he received his Master of Arts with a major in counseling and guidance with a minor in clinical psychology. Several years later, he returned to Baylor University, and earned his doctorate in education degree in June 1961, having a major in administrative education and a minor in curriculum and supervision. On June 9, 1949, he married his wife of 57 years, Martha Demetra Musgrave Thompson at the First Baptist Church in Hillsboro, Texas. His teaching experience included every level from elementary through high school in the Edinburg Texas School system. His administrative work began at La Vega Independent School District, Waco, Texas, in 1954 as pupil personnel director. In 1955, he was made assistant high school principal, and in that year, he was elected junior-senior high school principal. From La Vega, he moved to Alvin Independent School District, Alvin, Texas, from 1960-64 as high school principal. The move was then made to the Port Arthur Independent School District, Port Arthur, Texas, as director of secondary education, and later was made assistant superintendent of instruction until 1974. The summer of 1974, he moved to the Rio Grande Valley as professor of education at the University of Pan American. He enjoyed the teaching of teachers in courses toward a degree that would qualify them for middle management educational positions. In 1985, he retired to the work of running a small ranch near Aquilla on land he dearly loved. A number of hobbies included the collecting of rare books, specializing in Winston S. Churchill, the American Civil War and Texana, along with ranching and public speaking. Some of the activities that he felt were meaningful were his becoming a deacon while at First Baptist Church in Edinburg. He served as an active deacon while in Alvin and Port Arthur. It was while in Port Arthur that he did much of his civic duties. He was vice president of the United Community Services, a member of the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Rotary Club and president in years 1971 and 1972. Several other organizations could be named. He was a consultant or director at six different universities with the Texas Association of Student Councils in summer workshops. At the time of his death, Dr. Thompson was a member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church and Dr. Cresson's Bible study class, which he dearly loved. When it was apparent that he could no longer attend, his concern was who would get the doughnut holes for his class. George was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mildred Estelle Thompson; and one step-sister, Dorothy Marie Crouch of Hillsboro, Texas. Family was one of the most important things in George's life. His grandchildren knew that if they were to be with their grandfather they were expected to learn at least one thing. Survivors include his wife, Demetra Musgrave Thompson of West, Texas; sons George David Thompson and wife Kay McCoy Thompson of West, Texas, and James Eugene Thompson and wife Vickie Jones Thompson of Abbott, Texas; six grandchildren, David Benjamin Thompson and wife Jamie Harris Thompson, Daniel Lee Thompson, and Whitney Lynn Thompson Mechell and husband Brian Mechell, all of West, Texas, Seth Anderson Thompson and wife Sarah Woodard Thompson of Waco, Texas, James Aaron Thompson of Waco, Texas, and Garrett Dee Thompson of Abbott, Texas. His sisters include Dorothy Mae Carter of Hillsboro, Texas, Enna Juanita Thompson Holgerson and husband Oscar John Holgerson of Clifton, Texas, Betty Jo Hughes Harris of Hillsboro, Texas, and Mary Evelyn Hughes Brown of Hernando, Miss. His brothers include Billy Dale Thompson and wife Yvonne Elizabeth Thompson of Red Oak, Texas, James Robert Hughes of Tulsa, Okla., and John Derrell Hughes Jr., of Hillsboro, Texas. Seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews also survive him. The pallbearers will be George's six grandchildren. The honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Mike Reis, Dr. Bruce Cresson, Billy Davis, Roy Lipe, Calvin Bell, Lonnie Richardson, Oscar Holgerson, Livy Etter, Larry Willenborg and Lee Moore. The funeral service will be at 11:30 a.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 2, at Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Bosque Chapel, 6101 Bosque Blvd. in Waco, with the Rev. Ron Durham officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation with the family was held from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Memorials may be made to the Wesley Woods Alzheimer Care Center in Waco or the building fund for Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com VIRGINIA RODRIGUEZ Virginia Rodriguez, 83, passed away at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville, Monday, July 31, 2006. Mrs. Rodriguez was an exceptional wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister. She was also a devoted church member for over 50 years and an avid bingo player. She will be in our hearts forever and will be dearly missed. Mrs. Rodriguez is preceded in death by her husband, Clemente N. Rodriguez; parents Guadalupe and Juan Aldape; brothers Candelario, Salvador and Anselmo Aldape; sisters Juanita Aldape and Guadalupe Lerma. She is survived by her children, Irma Rodriguez, Roberto (Lynn) and Rosie Ibarra (Rene); grandchildren Robert Andrew Rodriguez, Karen Elizabeth Rodriguez, Virginia Lopez, Vanessa and Rene Ibarra; brothers Hilario, Evaristo and Bernardo Aldape; sisters Magdalena Lopez, Eloisa Tabares and Salome Cantu; numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held today, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a recitation of the holy rosary at 7 p.m. at Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006. Committal service will follow to Buena Vista Burial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Anselmo Aldape, Evaristo Aldape Jr., Ramon Arrendondo Jr., Rene Ibarra, Andres Guerrero Jr. and Antonio Cantu. Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista, cemeteries, mausoleums, and crematory, 125 McDavitt Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78521, (956) 541-5400. Dignity Memorial Provider. MARY RENE TROY KEESECKER Mrs. Mary Rene Troy Keesecker, 86, of 711 Matador Lane, Mesquite, Texas, passed away July 17, 2006, at Medical Center of Mesquite. She was born in Raton, N.M., to the late Agnes and Rene Troy on April 1, 1920. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Colorado and married Victor Carl Keesecker in New York City in February 1944. She taught English and literature in Brownsville, Texas, elementary and middle school level, from 1946 to 1964. They moved to Galveston in 1966 where she was a faithful member of Saint Peters Catholic Church. In 2001, they made a move to Mesquite to be close to family. Survivors include her husband, Victor Carl Keesecker; her son, Robert Alan Keesecker and his wife, Teresa Holloway Keesecker of Mesquite; two granddaughters, Angela Keesecker Rubert of Garland and Kristen Michelle Keesecker of Mesquite; and two great grandchildren, Christian Ashley Rupert and Gillian Grace Rupert of Garland, Texas. Her body has been donated to University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, and there will be a Mass at Saint Peters in Galveston, Texas, prior to final internment at Calvary Mausoleum in Galveston, Texas, with time and date pending. If desired, memorial gifts should be made to your favorite charity or Saint Peters Catholic Church, 1804 69th St., Galveston, TX 77551. Mary Rene was an "angel in disguise" and loved by all. She will be truly missed and will now dwell in the house of the Lord forever. MARGARET KUEHLER Margaret "Margie" Kuehler, 57, passed away Sunday, July 30, 2006, at her residence. She was born Aug. 17, 1949 in Brownsville, Texas, to Emil "Buddy" and Agnes K. Kuehler. Margaret graduated from Brownsville High School and was a member of the National Honor Society. She is survived by her mother, Agnes Belue Kuehler of Crowley, Texas; and her brothers, R.N. Kuehler of Houston, Texas, H.J. Kuehler of Leon, Mexico, and D.J. Kuehler of Brownsville, Texas. Margaret was preceded in death by her father, Emil A. Kuehler, and her brother, Wallis J. Kuehler. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, 2006, at St. Francis Xavier Chapel, 304 West St., La Feria, with Deacon Genaro Ibarra officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. JAVIER GOMEZ Javier Gomez, 42, entered into eternal rest with the Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville He is survived by his loving parents, Martin and Maria Herminia Gomez; his brothers and sisters, Jose Raul (Minerva) Gomez, Maria Elena (Guadalupe) Saldivar, Ana Isabel (Alex) Gamez, Martha Leticia Gomez, M. Patricia Gomez and Alma Marisela Gomez. Also surviving are numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Guerra Funeral Home of Brownsville, 3955 Coffee Port, Road, (956) 544-1171. EDELMIRO GUZMAN Edelmiro "Milo" Guzman, 74, entered into eternal rest at his residence on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006. Milo, as he was known by all his friends, was employed by El Globo supermarket. He previously worked for H-E-B, Royal Mart and Valley Mart. Milo was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp. He left the military with the rank of sergeant. He also participated in the Brownsville fast pitch baseball leagues in the '50s and '60s. He is survived by his wife, Oralia Manzano Guzman; daughter Belinda Newton (Jim) of Wisconsin; son Richard Guzman (Belinda) of Brownsville; his grandson who he adored, Matthew J. Guzman of Los Angeles, Calf.; his loving granddaughter, Miranda Guzman of Brownsville; his little princess, Samantha N. Guzman (Newton) of Wisconsin; brother Rene Guzman of Montgomery, Texas, Eddie Guzman of Houston, Texas; and a sister, Dora Treviño of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a recitation of the holy rosary at 7 p.m. on at Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Cathedral on Friday, Aug. 4, 2006. Committal service will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park. Full Military Honors will be conducted by the American Legion Post 43 Veterans Honor Guard. Serving as pallbearers will be Richard Guzman, Matthew J. Guzman, Jim Newton, Ramiro Garcia, Victor Leal and Ralph Carazco. Funeral services have been entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel Buena Vista, cemeteries, mausoleums and crematory, 125 McDavitt Blvd. Brownsville, Texas, 78521, (956) 541-5400. The Brownsville Herald 1135 E. Van Buren Brownsville, TX 78520 956-542-4301 1-800-488-4301 © 2006 The Brownsville Herald