Roll Call Tribute

Kellie Elizabeth Tondre 

June 10, 2002 - May 7, 2025 

With broken hearts, we share the passing of our beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, and friend, Kellie Elizabeth Tondre, on May 7, 2025, in College Station, Texas. She was 22 years old.

Kellie was born on June 10, 2002, in San Antonio, Texas, and grew up on her family's farm in southwest Bexar County. She was a proud 2020 graduate of Southwest High School and entered Texas A&M University during the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown year. Born into an Aggie family, Kellie never considered going anywhere else. She fully embraced Aggieland - its traditions, its spirit, and its people - and made countless friends everywhere she went. At the time of her passing, she was a senior majoring in Agricultural Systems Management with a focus on water management - a field she chose to help improve life in rural communities.

Kellie's love for animals began early. She raised many types of livestock through Southwest 4-H and FFA, but it was a gift of three young rabbits at age seven that sparked her deepest passion. From that point forward, rabbits became her life's focus. She earned countless Best in Show honors with her Californian rabbits at state fairs and shows across Texas and achieved multiple Best of Breed wins at ARBA Conventions and National Shows. In 2015, she was honored as the National Californian Rabbit Specialty Club's Youth Breeder of the Year, and in 2016 she was named the Texas Rabbit Breeders Association Youth Breeder of the Year - achievements that reflected her hard work, commitment, and excellence in the rabbit world.

Soon after graduating high school, Kellie began judging fairs across Texas, quickly gaining a reputation for fairness, professionalism, and a true love for the animals and exhibitors. She had recently passed the exam to become a licensed ARBA judge, marking a major milestone toward her dream of traveling the country to judge at national-level shows. Kellie loved sharing her knowledge of rabbits and was a generous mentor to numerous younger youth. She took great pride in helping others learn and grow, always willing to lend her time and support to those just starting out in the show world.

A recipient of the Texas 4-H Gold Star Award and the Lone Star FFA Degree, Kellie embodied the values of leadership, dedication, and service. She will be remembered for her kind heart, bright smile, quick wit, and the joy she brought into every room. Her deep compassion for animals and people alike left a lasting mark on all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Norman Tondre.

She is survived by her loving parents, Amber and Jeffrey Tondre, and her cherished sister Krystal, all of LaCoste, Texas. She is also survived by her grandmother Sarah Tondre of San Antonio and her grandparents Gayla and Michael Kelly of Corpus Christi. Many extended family members, fellow Aggies, and lifelong friends mourn her passing and celebrate the beautiful life she lived.

Visitation will be on Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with the Holy Rosary recited at 5:30 pm at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in La Coste. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Cemetery in La Coste.

Our family wishes to thank the many friends, mentors, and supporters who have reached out in love. Your prayers, memories, and kindness mean more than words can express. In the days ahead, we ask for continued grace as we hold tightly to the joy and love Kellie brought into our lives.

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, Castroville, Texas