John E. Bakke III

John E. Bakke III, born in Wichita Falls, Texas on July 20, 1938, entered eternal rest Wednesday, January 10 at the age of 85. He is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Patricia “Pat” Bakke and children John E. Bakke IV, Phil (Cory) Bakke, Shauneen Bakke, Joe (Jessica) Bakke, Shannon (Mark) Zeman, Liz Bakke Callaway, 13 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. John was the eldest son of Maria and John E. Bakke Jr., brothers, George Bakke and Sam Bakke, predeceased him in death.

John earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the State University of Iowa (now known as University of Iowa) in 1963, served his country as an Army medic and graduated from St. Mary’s Law School in 1972.

John specialized in estate planning and probate law for more than 50 years. He served as a fellow with the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the San Antonio Bar Association and as the chairman of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He served on the board of Trustee of the Hill Country Youth Ranch, the Boerne Area Foundation and chairman of the board of directors of the American Cancer Society for the State of Texas and a Texas Cavalier for 54 years.

John cherished his Boerne ranch, Rancho Suerte, his Norwegian family history, Louis L'Amour novels, golfing, bowling, sketching and a championing the causes of those much less fortunate than him. He truly enjoyed desserts, and firmly believed in the three food groups of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hill Country Youth Ranch at https:/youth-ranch.org/Ways-to-Give.

Graveside Service will be held on January 19 at 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm at Forest Park the Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery followed by a reception at Adlers Magnolia located at 33118 Magnolia Circle, Magnolia, Texas in the Great Room from 2:00 -3:30. John’s favorite restaurant Gringos will be catering the event, all are welcome.