Reynold W. Menzel

Reynold (Ray) Menzel went home to his Lord on Thursday, December 12, 2024. Born in New York City to Willy O. Menzel and Clara C. Uebele Menzel. He lived the majority of his childhood in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York state. Graduated from F.E. Roosevelt High School, Hyde Park in 1955. Attended Westchester Community College, White Plains and graduated in 1957. His wanderlust spirit brought him to Houston where he completed his education at the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1967.

He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army after serving six months active duty and 51/2 years reserve.

Before retiring in June 1997, he had a 34-year career in Marketing and Sales with Conoco, First City National Bank of Houston and Prudential Life Insurance Company.

He married his first wife Georgia Anne Nackman in 1963. Together they spent the majority of their lives in the FM1960 area of Houston. They became proud parents of a daughter Michele and son Paul. Georgia went home to the Lord in November, 2000.

In January, 2003 he married Susan M. Shirley and they combined a family of two sons and three daughters and multiple grandchildren. In June 2005 they moved to New Braunfels to build their retirement home. He loved New Braunfels, it’s people and the surrounding Texas Hill Country. He was an active member of Cross Lutheran Church, especially enjoying the various Bible Studies he attended through the years.

He is past president of the New Braunfels Marsch Und Wandergruppe. He, also, volunteered in the AARP Money Management Program. While in Houston he participated in the Meals on Wheels Program in the 1960’s area.

Ray had a strong belief in the value of higher education and established a scholarship at the University of Houston.

During the many years both in Houston and New Braunfels, he enjoyed the company of friends at weekly breakfast meetings. They referred to themselves a ROMEOS (retired or really old men eating out).

His life centered around his faith, family, friends and love of travel. He felt especially blessed by two women in his adult life who were his partners in life’s journey….Georgia and Susan. His grandchildren gave him great joy.

He is survived by wife Susan, children Michele (Greg) Young, Paul (Trisha) Menzel,

Stepchildren, Sheryl Shirley, Stacey Parke and Tad Shirley. Grandchildren: Caleigh, Dylan, Lydia, Elaina, Britanni, Colt, Catherine, Braden, Megan, Anderson, Grace, Cara, and Ella. Also, brother-in-law Robert Nackman, the Uebele family in Delaware, a special cousin, Tobias Neumann and the extended Uebele and Menzel families in Germany.

The family would like to acknowledge Hope Hospice caregivers especially Allison,

Stephanie, Phyllis, Velinda and volunteers Tom and Paul. Eden Hill staff Angie, Christie, Michele, Arlyn, Tanya, Larry, Kitanna, Sparkle, Angel, Lauren, Fabian, Rose, Jeanette, Rueben, Norma. Special friend/patient Jim Cecchine whose companionship and prayers helped get Ray through each day.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Cross Lutheran Church of New Braunfels, Texas, your local Meals on Wheels organization or charity of your choice.

A public visitation for Reynold will be held Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa St, New Braunfels, Texas 78130. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Cross Lutheran Church, 2171 Common St, New Braunfels, Texas 78130. A committal service will occur Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, Texas 77079.