Blaine Luthringer, Sr.

The heavens rejoiced as Blaine Neill Luthringer, Sr. slipped quietly into the night on the evening of Tuesday, November 15, 2011, in Rockport, Texas. Waiting for him there were his parents, Frank and Rosalie Luthringer, and his sister, Frankie Riggle, who preceded him in joining the ranks of angels and saints. Blaine, the youngest of Frank and Rosalie Luthringer's three children was born on November 21, 1930. He grew up in Bee County on the family dairy farm and attended school in the Central Community. He graduated from Beeville High School in 1950. He served in the United States Air Force from January 1951 to December 1954. He achieved the rank of Airman First Class and was awarded a National Defense Service Medal as well as a Good Conduct Medal. While stationed at Lackland AFB, he met and married Joy Lee Freasier on January 18, 1952. After leaving the Air Force, they settled in Beeville where he worked for the City of Beeville. He worked his way up from Building Inspector to City Secretary. His love of numbers then landed him a job as Tax Assessor Collector for the Beeville Independent School District. Later, when taxing entities were consolidated, he became the Chief Tax Appraiser for Bee County - a position he held until his retirement at age 70. He spent more than 45 years as a member of the Beeville Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as their secretary-treasurer until the time of his stroke three years ago. In 2010, his fellow firemen voted him Father of the Fire Department. Blaine not only served his community, but as a faithful Christian, he served his church as a Deacon at First Baptist Church, Beeville. He served many years as the secretary of the Five Year Old Sunday School Department. Being around little ones always brought a smile to his face and light to his eyes. Blaine is survived by Joy, his wife of 59 years, and four children. The children, along with their spouses who loved and adored their daddy, are Ginger (Roger) Perkins of Beeville, Cindy (Robert) Cantwell of Rockport, Neill Luthringer of Beeville and Clay (Sue) Luthringer of Three Rivers. Grand Dad to some, Grandy to others, the grandchildren who thought he hung the moon are Joshua (Tracey) Perkins and Travis Perkins of Beeville, Bill (Morgan) Cantwell of Hutto, Tyler and Garret Luthringer of College Station, Samantha DeForest and Laine Luthringer of Beeville. Blaine also has one great-grandchild, Brylee Shea Perkins, who he just knew was "the sweetest little thing he'd ever seen!" He is also survived by a sister, Aleene Sugarek; and two bother-in-laws, Edward Sugarek and James Riggle; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Blaine's friends and the staff at Gulf Pointe Plaza Nursing Home for making him feel loved and at home for the past three years. Visitation will be at First Baptist Church, Beeville on Friday, November 18, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be at First Baptist Church, Beeville on Saturday, November 19, 2011, at 2 p.m. under the direction of Galloway and Sons Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Blaine's grandchildren, Joshua and Travis Perkins, Bill Cantwell, Tyler and Garret Luthringer and Laine Luthringer. Honorary pallbearers will be the Beeville Volunteer Fire Department, who will perform the Fireman's Bell Service in honor of their fallen comrade who has answered his final call to duty. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church School, Beeville Volunteer Fire Department or South Texas Children's Home. Galloway & Sons Funeral Home Read more: mySouTex.com - Blaine Neill Luthringer Sr