Edward Lamar Goetz

February 2, 1931 – April 7, 2017

Edward Lamar Goetz, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, Master Mason (50 year pin), and friend, was called home on April 7, 2017 following a one month hospital stay due to complications from a heart attack. He was born on February 2, 1931 to the late Walter and Stella Olle Goetz in Deweesville (Karnes County), Texas. At the age of 13, his family moved to San Antonio, where he graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1948. As a youth, he was active in DeMolay, played in the high school band, and began his life-long passion for antique cars. In 1949 he married the love of his life Melrose Real.

He was always busy working. He loved to tell the story of his first job at the age of 13 as a bicycle delivery boy of prescription drugs. As time passed, he was in the Naval Reserve, worked for the San Antonio post office, and in 1953 secured a job at DuPont near Victoria. In 1954 he went to work for Union Carbide, retiring as Emergency Director in 1986 at age 54.

He enjoyed a long and productive retirement and had hoped it would last at least as long as his tenure at Carbide. He served several terms as an elder at First English Lutheran Church, volunteered as the first shuttle cart driver at Citizens Hospital, and remained active in the Victoria Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America, which he had co-founded in the 1960s. His love of God and family were paramount in his life, and he was the completely supportive patriarch of the family.

Throughout his life but especially in retirement, his antique car hobby was an all-consuming passion. It took Ed and Melrose across the U.S. He was very knowledgeable about old cars and was a trusted resource for other like enthusiasts. In his past, he owned many rare cars, some one of a kind.

Edward is survived by his wife Melrose, daughter Linda Barrett (Jozef Lewandowski), son Gregory, son Kenneth (Renee), six grandchildren; Kyle, Craig, Tara, David, Andrew and Daniel; two step grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his two older sisters (Constance Kolodzie and Willadene Myers Ryan).

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 12th at Rosewood Funeral Chapel from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on April 13th at 9:30 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery with Masonic Lodge #40 AF & AM conducting their burial rites.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to the First English Lutheran Church Property Improvement Fund, or to the donor’s choice. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.