Alton Clarence Kalmbach

Alton C. Kalmbach, of Granger, Texas passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 25, 2024, at the age of 94. Alton was born in Theon, Texas on February 2, 1930, to Arthur and Lydia Kalmbach. They then moved to Jarrell, Texas and purchased what would become the Kalmbach Family Farm. Alton grew up on the farm with his sister Joyce where he helped raise chickens, cows, ponies and hogs. He also helped tend to the family garden. Alton attended Jarrell High School and played on the five-man football team wearing a leather helmet. After graduating from High School Alton joined the Military as a Marine and was on active duty during the Korean War which took him to San Diego, Korea, The Philippines and Hawaii.

Upon his return to Jarrell, Texas after the war, Alton met a beautiful young lady by the name of Georgia Zajicek of Granger, Texas. They would spend a lot of time together in Walburg, Texas getting to know one another before Alton went to Chicago, Illinois to attend college to become a diesel mechanic. While he was away at college, he mailed Georgia a written marriage proposal and after graduation when he returned to Texas, they were married in April 1955 in Walburg, Texas at Zion Lutheran Church where Alton’s parents were members.

Alton and Georgia then moved to Austin, Texas to begin their own family. Alton was employed by Harper Plumbing for a short while before starting what would be his 35-year career with the Southern Union Gas Company. On February 3, 1956, one day after Alton’s birthday he and his wife were blessed with twins, Larry and Linda and the following year in December 1957 they welcomed their youngest daughter, Debbie. In 1977 Alton became a grandfather to his first granddaughter, Kimberly and in 1988 he welcomed a grandson, Caleb.

Alton also had a love for the lake, boat riding and going to dances. He also had a passion for restoring cars. You would never know what kind of car Alton was going to be driving next. The same applied to boats. Being a mechanic came natural to Alton and he could always be found working on car motors, boat motors and even lawnmowers.

Alton was very active thought out his life and he exercised regularly. After he and his wife retired, they relocated from Austin, Texas to Granger, Texas where Georgia’s mother resided. While living in Granger, Texas, Alton would take daily walks around the neighborhood and was friends with everyone that crossed his path. With a heart as big as Texas, Alton was surrounded by love, family and friends his entire life. He was affectionately known as “Father” by his family and friends and all those that knew him cherished him.

Alton was a devoted Lutheran. He and his wife were both active members at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas and later in life when they relocated to Granger, Texas during their retirement, they joined Trinity Lutheran. When Alton was physically no longer able to attend church services, his wife, son and their Pastor would have communion together once a month at Will-O-Bell Nursing Home in Bartlette, Texas. Will-O-Bell was Alton’s home for the past three years where he made many friends and enjoyed socializing and greeting everyone with a howdy and a smile. To know Alton was to love Alton and he will be dearly missed.

Proceeding Alton in death are his father, Arthur Kalmbach, mother, Lydia Kalmbach, sister Joyce Santella and his daughter, Debbie Kalmbach. Surviving him in death are his wife of 69 years, Georgia Kalmbach, son, Larry Kalmbach, daughter Linda McGee and her two children, Kimberly McGee (Erik Eastburn) and Caleb McGee