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Karl K. "Korky" Steffens

Birth: Dec. 11, 1916
Brady
McCulloch County
Texas, USA
Death: Jul. 3, 2007
Brady
McCulloch County
Texas, USA

"Karl K. "Korky" Steffens, Col. USAF Retired, age 90 and a lifelong resident of Brady, Texas passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2007 in Brady. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. today (Thursday), July 5, 2007 at the Brady Presbyterian Church with Rev. Brian Wiggins officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery in Brady. Pallbearers will be Ted Archer, Jack Roberts, Skip Pries, Ed Carrithers, Dr. J. H. Allen and Dick Winters. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Roberts, Dr. Richard Winters, Gerald Yarborough, Charlie Dye, Joe McDonough and L. V. Ruffin. Arrangements are under the direction of Leatherwood Memorial Chapels of Brady.

"Korky was born December 11, 1916 in Brady to Karl Day Steffens and Ella (Keller) Steffens. He was an outstanding athlete at Brady High School, earning All Regional Honors as a Football Tailback. He was also honored as the best singer of Brady High School. This singing contest he later sponsored and served as the Master of Ceremonies in the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's. After graduation in 1935, he attended Texas A&M on an athletic scholarship, where he played football with All American Legends John Kimbrough, Dick Todd and Joe Routt. He also played against such legends as Sammy Baugh, Davy O'Brien, Ky Aldrich, Ernie Koy, Sr. and other greats of the late 1930's. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1939 with a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. He married Othrene Autry on May 25, 1941 in Coleman, Texas. After they were married, they were stationed at Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio where he coached football. He was called to active duty prior to the outbreak of World War II and rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel by 1945. After the war he returned to Brady and entered the Florist profession with his father. In 1950 Korky was recalled to the U.S. Air Force to serve in the Korean War. He was stationed at Goodfellow A.F.B. where he was Group Commander, managing five squadrons, and later promoted to full Colonel. He returned to Brady in 1953 and resumed his career as a florist and civic leader. For many years he was the General Manager of the July Jubilee Association (a non-paying, year-round post) and Chairman of the Miss Heart of Texas Pageant. He has served on the Brady City Council, the Brady School Board President, President of the Brady Lions Club, chaired the Heart of Texas Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Ole Hound Dog Athletic Booster Club and served as a Director and Vice President of the Texas State Florists Association. He was a third generation florist, owning and operating Steffens Flowers in Brady. He was a member of the Brady Presbyterian Church. Service to his country and Brady was his passion. A singer, showman and an expert master of ceremonies, Korky became a popular entertainer in Brady at countless civic programs over the years. He was often called on to sing at weddings and funerals. In 1961 he was honored as Brady's Distinguished Citizen. In his spare time he loved to hunt, fish and play golf.

"Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Othrene Steffens of Brady; two sons, Craig Steffens and Karlton Steffens and wife Sandra all of Brady; grandchildren, Kelly Wharrie and husband Rob of Round Rock and Karly Steffens of Austin, Kacy Montenegro and husband Mark of Round Rock and Stacy Northcutt of Austin; and six great-grandchildren. Local survivors include nieces and nephews, Brett Autry, Alana Brudney and Tracy Autry, and Steve Autry.

"He was preceded in death by his parents and grandson-in-law, Chad Northcutt."

(Coleman Chronicle and Democrat-Voice, Coleman, Texas, July 10, 2007, page 11. Used with permission.)


Family links:
Spouse:
Othrene Autry Steffens (1919 - 2009)

Burial:
Resthaven Cemetery
Brady
McCulloch County
Texas, USA

Created by: Ralph Terry
Record added: Jun 18, 2014
Find A Grave Memorial# 131501647