Roll Call Tribute

(Published in) The (Bryan-College Station) Eagle (on) August 9, 2019

Wolters, Timothy Mark
August 10, 1947 - July 18, 2019

On a summer day of cotton clouds, and a sky as bright blue as his eyes, Timothy Mark Wolters, 71, of College Station, formerly of Midland, peacefully passed away at home on the family farm, surrounded by his loving family around high noon like a true cowboy. A Life Tribute Celebration honoring Tim's life will begin at 3pm, Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Callaway-Jones Funeral Centers, 3001 South College Ave, Bryan, Texas.

Tim was born to Freddie August Wolters and Mary Margaret Ray on August 10, 1947 in Bonham, Texas. He was the only son of four children who were loved very much. The majority of Tim's childhood was spent in Bryan-College Station, where he made some of his closest, lifelong friendships and where he learned the value of hard work. As a young boy, he worked in the fields pulling weeds by hand and picked cotton each day after school and during the summers. He especially loved the farm land that he and his father worked on together raising cattle and enjoying the pastures and the beauty of nature. His favorite spot was in the barn where he could smell the mixtures of hay, dirt, and oil where his mind's eye could see the tractors, horses and tools that made for a good day. Life on the farm forged the foundation of his character and his work ethic. Many years of hard work each day clearing the land, stacking brush, planting grass, and grooming the pastures for the cattle was equally matched with memories of hayrides and turning many gallons of homemade ice cream. The family horses, Old Paint, Blondie and a red mare named Salty made their permanent place in the magical memories of those years. Tim enjoyed riding on the historic Salt Grass Trail to Houston with his father, Freddie, to honor the original cattlemen of the past. He started playing football in the seventh grade and although he was small in stature as a young boy, he was mighty in determination and never quit. Some of his closest, lifelong friendships were forged on the football field over the years. Tough training tested strength and perseverance and such moments honed his strong leadership traits and became the paintbrush that colored the canvas of his life with loyalty and grit.

Adventures as a boy prepared him for his future in countless ways. One day, as his older sister was going to feed the chickens, a squirrel jumped on her and bit her leg. Tim used his 410 shotgun to shoot the squirrel out of one of the big pecan trees with one single far-range shot to avenge the wrongdoing. His later commendation as a sharp-shooter in the military came with an honest and practical pedigree. Tim served in the Army Reserves and later, in the Navy Reserves as an Intelligence Officer. All of the days of his life, he protected those around him, stood up for what he knew was right and commanded a presence about him that always branded his great integrity.

Tim is a graduate of A&M Consolidated High School Class of 1965. After high school, on his first true travel away from home, he lived in Sweden for a summer as a Lions Club foreign exchange student to experience the way of life in other countries. Through his European travels, he gained a curiosity about his fellow man but more so, the gratefulness and blessings of what home has always meant to him was set into motion. He returned home, attended Allen Academy and then earned his degree in Animal Science from Texas A&M University in the Class of 1970. After graduating from Texas A&M, he met beautiful Karen Evans on a blind date arranged by mutual friends.

Soon after meeting Karen, Tim was offered a position with Nelson Bunker Hunt as a Ranch Inspector and cowboy in Montana, Nevada, California, and Texas. He left for Montana once for a 3 week assignment that actually turned into 3 months. He was always amazed that Karen waited for him to come home. They dated and then married in November 1975 and built a beautiful life together with their son Billy and two daughters, Kasey and Jamie. He always said how lucky he was to find her...he knew he had struck gold in finding his best friend and such a wonderful wife and mother.

Tim entered the banking business following his time on the ranches and ultimately retired from Bank of America in 2011, where he oversaw the Farm and Ranch Division of the Trust Department. Riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle across the country with his friends were some of his most enjoyable adventures. He honored the sacrifice of injured soldiers and veterans by volunteering for the Show of Support - Hunt for Heroes, Wounded Warrior Project, and upholding his patriot faith, he proudly welcomed many soldiers home from war, including his own son. Nature and people have always been Tim's love. He never met a stranger and genuinely inquired about people and their lives. Many new friends he made along those motorcycle rides would, in time, end up in Texas to meet our family and join us for dinner. Dove hunting with his faithful bird dogs, Zeke and Chica, is something he looked forward to each season. He loved the mountains of Ruidoso and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and most importantly, he cherished time with family, especially the children and grandchildren. He believed there is a time for work and a time for rest, and nothing was better after a hard days work, than a summer nap in a hammock, fishing with his children and grandchildren, or rocking on the porch, watching the cattle and the sunsets with Karen.

As a father, very few can measure up to the caliber of the fine man Tim was. He was so very proud of his children; he was their biggest protector and biggest fan in every aspect of their lives. He made certain that they knew he loved them. He ingrained in his children a deep faith, a determined work ethic, a respect for service to country, the priceless value of education, a fierce loyalty to family and friendships, the desire to serve others in their communities and their professions, as well as being thankful for their many blessings. He led with the gift of discernment of truth and raised children that were strong, kind, loyal and quick to stand up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves. He believed in arriving early, doing what you say you are gonna do, giving a firm handshake and looking people in the eyes. Tim believed that your word and your handshake was your bond. He had a presence about him that commanded strength, as well as a quiet wit and humor that quickly won over those in his path.

He was known to all the grandchildren as "Bubba," which became his most cherished title. He could tie the perfect bandana and could make the best chocolate fudge in the universe. The Bubba fudge recipe is the only recipe he knew by heart and proudly passed down to the generations. He dressed as Batman to entertain the young imaginations in the family, but even out of costume, Bubba was always a superhero to the grandkids. Roy Rogers and John Wayne were his heroes and dreams of his youth propelled him to sustain the magic of childhood for the grandchildren. He taught them a real cowboy has a loyal horse and over the years Tanglefoot, Lucy and Apache made the cut. Bubba even bought a white horse and named it Silver for the grandchildren when they truly believed they were the Lone Ranger and Tonto. He never told them differently. He took all the kids on adventures to the secret sandy beach on the edge of the hidden creek, where all the children would hunt for petrified wood and all sorts of treasures. He led their horses as the grandchildren rode, to guide their path and keep them safe... just as he guided his children along their path in life. His love for his children and grandchildren has been steadfast and his fortitude of spirit set the legacy in motion that he leaves for his children and grandchildren.

During his years as a young cowboy, the mountains of the Nevada basin called to him. Those were his Wild West days and some of the best days of his life. His stories painted pictures of the twilight early morning skies where the workday began and the horses were wrangled by the cowboys on the range with skillful zinging lassos that interrupted the cadence of the running horses, to then saddle them up and set off for the ride. The sunsets marked the end of the workday and nights on the range were void of any city lights for miles and miles so, under the darkest pitch black sky, when he laid his head down and looked to the heavens, the starry night twinkled like hundreds of diamonds thrown into the sky. How lucky we are as your family to know you have joined those countless diamonds in the sky. And in the darkest nights, we will look to you and know that you are there. Until we meet again...happy trails to you, Bubba.

Tim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Karen; son, Billy S. Wells and wife, Jacquelyn; daughter, Kasey Holdridge and husband, Scott; and daughter, Jamie Wolters; grandchildren, Jasmine Wells, Sterling Wells, Tye Holdridge, Rex Holdridge, and Hollie Robertson. He is also survived by three sisters and a special aunt and uncle, Edith and Bill Ray.

Tim's family invites you to join us for his Celebration of Life. Memorials may be sent to The Wounded Warrior Project or Hospice Brazos Valley. Express condolences at CallawayJones.com.