Roll Call Tribute

Lonnie Gilbert Garbade, Jr.
September 20, 1936 ~ November 30, 2022

Lonnie Gilbert Garbade, Jr. passed away November 30, 2022 at his home on Garbade Lane in Flatonia, Texas. Lonnie was born on September 20, 1936 to Lonnie Gilbert Garbade, Sr. and Frances Daehne Garbade at his paternal grandparents, D.D. and Mollie Garbade, home on E. Hwy 90, Flatonia and grew up a block east of there.

Lonnie attended Flatonia public school, graduating in the class of 1955. He was active in sports and played on the 1954 football team, the first one to be district champion. He was a proud member of the Flatonia Future Farmers of America. He showed animals at the annual livestock show and auction and learned the discipline of successful agriculture.

Besides serving as altar boy and playing sports in high school, school days often found Lonnie and Doris Pospisil meeting at the “blinker light” at Hwy 90 to walk to school together. A few years later, Lonnie could be found picking up Doris in his restored Model T Ford to go to school. After graduation from FHS in 1955, Lonnie continued his education at the University of Houston for one year. On May 5, 1956, Lonnie married his childhood sweetheart, Doris. After marriage the couple moved to College Station where in 1960 Lonnie graduated from Texas A & M with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Husbandry. Years later, he was honored by The Association of Former Students as a member of The Century Club.

Utilizing his degree, he worked as a ranch manager near Fulshear, TX.

Shortly thereafter Lonnie moved home to Flatonia with his wife and new baby, Deidra, to go into business raising registered Poland-China hogs while also tending to the family registered Black Angus cattle operation. The partnership of D., L.G., Sr, and L.G., Jr Garbade conducted business as Diamond G Ranch.

While in Flatonia, the family grew by one more with the birth of son, Chris. Shortly after, in 1964, the family moved to Houston where Lonnie accepted a job as Veterinary Sales Rep. for South Texas with Schering Corporation. The family lived in Houston for ten years and it was during this time that daughter CeCe was born. Because Galveston was nearby, Lonnie built his own fishing camp house on West Bay. Most weekends found family and friends fishing, crabbing, and making memories there.

Lonnie and family once again returned to Flatonia in 1973 where Lonnie continued to work as a Veterinary Supply Rep. in Central Texas with several different companies namely: Pioneer Vet. Supply, Inc., PRO VET, South Texas Serum & Supply, and Veterinary Companies, Inc. (Territory Manager).

As an adult with children of his own, due to his love for baseball and memories of the neighborhood boys playing baseball on the Blue Jays or the Cardinals on a vacant lot behind the Garbade home, Lonnie helped reorganize the Flatonia Little League Association and through the donation of seven acres by he and his father, brought the existing ballpark up to National Little League standards supporting baseball for all. Also, combining with Moulton, he coached girls softball teams.

Lonnie continued to be actively involved with agriculture by guiding his son to run a small swine business. He continued the Black Angus aspect of Diamond G Ranch with his children involved in the farm and ranch day to day tasks. Supporting the local 4-H and FFA shows and returning to San Antonio and Houston Livestock Shows with his son showing was a joyous time for him. In 1983 he was made an honorary member of the Flatonia FFA Chapter.

In Flatonia he served two terms on the school board as trustee and one term as vice-president. Being a member of the Jaycees continued his involvement with the Little League in addition in helping the WAGs. In 1987, he was made Honorary Wag’er.

In 1993 he recognized a long-lasting dream by partnering with the City of Flatonia and many supportive men from the community to build a nine hole golf course designed with the original layout by him on Garbade property.

As his family grew, Lonnie always took pride in actively following his children and grandchildren in their school activities, special events, and sports whether in high school or college. In retirement, family vacations continued to be his focus with yearly trips to Port O’Conner and Galveston along with serving on the Flatonia Golf Association board. Lonnie was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish.

Lonnie is survived by his wife of 66 years, Doris Pospisil Garbade; their children: Deidra Garbade Kalina (Claude), Chris Garbade (Crystle), Cecelia Garbade Oden (Brad); grandchildren: Bradley Kalina (Connie), Maegan Kalina Coldewey (Justin), Bryan Kalina, Ashley Garbade Lindeman (Stayton), Lauren Oden Hoffman (Ryan), Caleb Oden (Claire); great grandchildren: Vincent Coldewey, Grady Coldewey, Heidi Hoffman, and Nolan Lindeman.

Also surviving is his sister Becky Garbade Maddox and brother-in-law, Larmon Maddox.

Lonnie is predeceased by: his parents, Lonnie Gilbert Garbade and Frances Daehne Garbade; grandparents, Dietrich Garbade and Mollie Lehde Garbade; Dr. F. G. Daehne and Annie Labay Daehne.

Those who wish to remember Lonnie may make donations in his memory to the Flatonia Education Foundation, PO Box 1098, Flatonia Golf Association, PO Box 391 or Flatonia FFA, PO Box 189 in which all are Flatonia, TX 78941.

Visitation will be at Smith Funeral Home in Flatonia, Texas, on Thursday, December 8, 2022, starting at 4:30 PM, with the recitation of the holy rosary following at 7:00 PM.

The Funeral Mass, will be Friday, December 9, 2022, at 10:00 AM, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flatonia, Texas, followed by a graveside service at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

An online memorial is located at www.smithfuneraltx.com. Share your thoughts and fond memories with the Garbade family.