Mr. Glenn W. Buchhorn Sr.

Buchhorn was born May 24, 1936, to Edwin and Elsie Buchhorn in Cuero. He was the first in his family to be born in a hospital delivered by a doctor rather than at home with a traditional midwife. After leaving school in the ninth grade, Buchhorn travelled throughout South Texas with his parents in search of work. He worked in ranching, oil field services and movie theaters where he developed a love of film, especially westerns, and popcorn.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1959, he served at Fort Riley, KS, as a supply specialist and radio instructor until his honorable discharge in 1962. He earned a good conduct medal and achieved sharpshooter status.

A racing enthusiast from a young age, Buchhorn and his trophies caught the eye of Ruth Ann Grams at a drag race at Green Valley Racetrack in Smithfield. They were married in 1963 and soon filled their home with five children.

Buchhorn bought Carl Electric in 1971, and at the age of 83, retired in 2016, leaving the business in the hands of two of his sons. He served on the board of the Independent Electrical Contractors Association and was a member of the San Antonio Contractors Association. He was active in the Order of Alhambra and supported the activities of his children in Boy Scouts Troop 445 and Indian Princesses. He also taught his children basic skills in electrical and mechanical work.

Glenn enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting deer, dove, ducks and wild boar in the Hill Country, fishing in the marshlands of Coastal Texas and attending Indy 500 races in Daytona. He nurtured his children’s skills in hunting, fishing and practicing safety. Outdoor adventures are among his children’s favorite memories. He also enjoyed horse racing in the cooler climate of Riudoso, New Mexico.

Buchhorn is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Edwin and Carroll, and son John, at age 18.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann Buchhorn; children Glenn Jr. and wife Rhonda Buchhorn, Tricia Buchhorn and wife Irene Abrego, Mark and wife Kristin Buchhorn of San Antonio and Raymond Buchhorn Grams of Houston; grandchildren Jennifer and husband Alex Cheng of Pattison; Tiffany and husband Nathan McCrayer of Tomball; Ethan and wife Kielyn of San Antonio; Devin Buchhorn of Portland, Oregon; Shawndy Buchhorn, boyfriend Christian Bocanegra and his daughter Marlee of San Antonio; Elyse Grams great grandchildren Athena, Victoria and Diana Cheng; Annalisa and Parker McCrayer; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, followed by Mass celebrated by Monsignor Michael O’Gorman at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel at Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 1702 Austin Hwy., with a reception in the Buchhorn home at 247 Montfort.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Texas chapter of Veterans Afield Foundation, veteransafieldfoundation.org, an organization providing hunting and outdoor activities for disabled veterans to aid in recovery. Also Wounded Warrior Hunts at WWIAF.org/donate