Arlene McCauley

Arlene McCauley passed away surrounded by her family Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at the age 85. She was born September 23, 1933 in Carrizo Springs, Texas to Bryan and Elsie Stokes. Arlene is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Andrew McCauley; daughter, Susan Startz (Steven) daughter, Terri Garzillo (Tom); son, David McCauley; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan and Elsie Stokes; brother, Gilbert Stokes; sister, Katherine Byrne; twin sister, Marlene Curry; and grandson, Dennis Speicher.

Arlene spent her younger years in Carrizo Springs on a farm with her precious identical twin sister. She started first grade in Freer, TX; moving for a short while to Houston and back to Freer for the remainder of her school days. There she met and married the love of her life and settled in as a homemaker and stay at home mom to their three children. She was very involved in their lives and was an excellent seamstress, artist, and cook. She loved water skiing behind the family boat and weekends in New Braunfels where her parents and in-laws had moved after retirement.

In 1969 the family moved to Tripoli, Libya. During this time she traveled extensively, swam in the Mediterranean Sea every chance she had. Arlene loved going to excavation sights where she observed the artifacts and sometimes being invited to come inside the areas they had dug searching for historical information. Upon moving back to the states hey lived in Victoria and Kingswood until Andrew’s retirement.

They built a home in the mountains in the Lincoln National Forest, near Cloudcroft, NM. Everyday there was an endless parade of birds, deer, elk, raccoons, wild turkey and of course plenty of bears to entertain them in the summers. Arlene had endless albums of all the bears and their cubs. Her home held a huge collection of stuffed bears from all over the world including her 84-year-old Ted E. Bear.

Due to snow, ice and high elevation they moved to New Braunfels to be near to family members in 2013. They attended Oakwood Baptist and she enjoyed Wurstfest. Arlene received a stadium seat at Wurstfest that had the words “Alpenfest Groupie” on the back. Arlene and Andrew went on several trips to Europe with the Alpenfest Band to tour and listen to endless hours of music. She will be missed by many here on earth, but is now rejoicing with others in heaven.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Zoeller Funeral Home from 4-6:00 p.m. The Graveside Service will be Friday, June 28, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. at Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park in the Gazebo. Officiated by Pastor Jeff Covington of Oakwood Baptist. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Arlene’s honor to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601