Roll Call Tribute

(Published in) Uvalde Leader (on) April 23, 2014

Felix R. Real Jr.

Mr. Felix Rudolph Real Jr. of Utopia passed away on Wednesday, April 16th at his residence at the age of 92 years. Felix was born on May 18, 1921 in Kerr County, Texas to Felix Rudolph and Esther Rosalia Rosenthal Real Sr. He married Lillian Stieler on Nov. 7, 1942 in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Kerrville. The son of German pioneers, Felix Graduated from Tivy High School in 1939 and went on to attend Texas A&M in College Station from 1939-1941. He was a member of the A&M Corps of Cadets Cavalry Unit and took an accelerated schedule of senior courses in order to earn his senior ring in just two years. In 1942 he married Lillian Stieler, a woman with a love of the land that matched his own. A fourth-generation rancher, Felix continued his family’s tradition of raising sheep, goats, and cattle on the Real homestead in Kerrville, Texas and was one of the youngest directors elected to the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association. Felix was a gentle man who quietly commanded respect from all who knew him. His love of nature was evident in everything he did. After acquiring the old Donoho ranch in Utopia, Texas in 1971, Felix and Lillian began creating an oasis for hunting, picnicking, swimming, and enjoying the outdoors. Together the Reals were gracious hosts to both family and friends from near and far. Felix possessed an artist’s eye and had a gift for design. In fact, he never drew up a blueprint for anything he built, whether it was a home or a hunting blind. Instead he relied on his keen mind and precise attention to detail. His grandchildren will tell you that if a rock, piece of wood, or any other object was out of place he’d notice it without fail and tell you to move it. Felix was a man of few words, but through his actions he clearly showed his deep feelings and devotion to those he loved-his soulmate Lillian, his family, and the dear friends he made over his long, beautiful life. Mr. Felix Real is survived by his wife: Lillian Stieler Real of Utopia; two daughters and spouses: Linda and Gary Thorne of Kerrville and Roberta and Robert Rollings of Plano; daughter-in-law: Sandra, Mrs. Caspar Real of D’Hanis; 10 grandchildren: Robert Real, Christine Kelly, Alexandria Real, Travis Thorne, Erin Donovan, Breanna Rollings, Bryan Rollings, Brittany Rollings, Jonathan Caillouette and Jennifer McBeth; three great-grandchildren, Lilly Donovan, Luke Thorne and Jacey McBeth; three sisters: Frances and Jack Stevens of Hunt, Meta Syfan of Mt. Home and Elma Acree of Houston; and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by son: Caspar Real; one brother: Walter Real at age 5; and three sisters: Ella Fisher, Huldah Cunningham and Edna Priour. The body will lie in state in the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Kerrville on Saturday, April 26th from 1 till 2 p.m. with funeral services at 2 p.m. with the Rector Jerre Stockton Williams Jr. officiating. Graveside services and interment will follow in the Real Family Cemetery. For those who so desire you may make memorial contributions in his memory to the Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association, P.O. Box 2290, San Angelo, Texas 76902; Utopia Volunteer EMS, P.O. Box 393, Utopia, Texas 78884; Hill Country Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 67, Ingram, Texas 78025; St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 320 St. Peter’s St., Kerrville, Texas 78028; or to the charity of your choice. Visitation for Mr. Felix Real will be held on Friday, April 25th from 5 till 7 p.m. in the Grimes Funeral Chapel, Kerrville. Expressions of sympathy may be sent atwww.schaetter.com Funeral arrangements under the direction of the Schaetter Funeral Home, Fredericksburg. THE PRECEDING IS A PAID OBITUARY.