Loy Dell Kaltwasser

Born on a farm in Fayette County to Theo and Edna Kaltwasser on July 31, 1931, Loy Dell was the second youngest of 11 children. At 17, he graduated from Fayetteville High School, left home and moved to Houston, where he worked at Memorial Hospital Pharmacy. There he met Jo Rita Mitchell. They married on June 10, 1950. Loy Dell spent his career working for Southern Pacific Railroad in Houston.

A man of few words, Loy Dell was known for his unwavering fairness, honesty, and strong work ethic. He dedicated himself to his family, his faith, and his community as an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church since 1960.

Loy Dell was a skilled craftsman who built the two homes his family lived in and a camper for family trips throughout Texas and Arkansas, including their favorite spot at Richie’s River Bend on the Frio River. He loved camping, fishing, gardening—especially growing his prized tomatoes—and dancing. A hardworking and active father and grandfather, Loy Dell taught his children and grandchildren practical life skills like budgeting, driving and German engineering.

Loy Dell is survived by his wife, Jo Rita; his daughter, Deborah, wife of Fayez Majzoub; grandchildren, Shazia, Nadia, Lisa, Adam, and Miriam as well as great-grandchildren, Marie, Jackson, Aysha, and Noah. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Cynthia Lappe and Judith Watson.

Pallbearers include his grandsons-in-law John Lightsey, Benjamin Binkley, Bryan Cantwell, and Hussein Majzoub as well as Loy Dell’s grandson Adam Majzoub and great grandson Jackson Binkley.

The family extends its gratitude to the Holy Cross Lutheran Church community and others who have supported them over the years.

Loy Dell will be remembered as a man of integrity, strength, and quiet devotion to his family and faith. His legacy of hard work and dedication will live on through the lives he touched.

Visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Thursday, December 26, 2024 at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road, Houston, Texas 77055. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7901 Westview Drive, Houston, Texas 77055. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m., in Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079.