Gaines & Joan Voigt

Gaines Voigt, born December 5, 1919, died May 31, 2017 at the age of 97. Gaines, a retired cement company executive, was a native of San Antonio and only son of Marvin and Ella Voigt. He graduated from Alamo Heights schools and Texas A&M University. Gaines served in the United States Army, reaching the rank of Major, and was a veteran of WWII. He was a lifelong member and deacon of First Presbyterian Church. He served as a director of The Alamo National Bank, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and other civic organizations. Following his retirement from business he devoted his time to civic and charitable causes, including serving as President of the San Antonio Area Foundation, President of the McNay Art Museum, director of the San Antonio Symphony, Chairman of The Combined Charities Investment Group, Trustee of The United Way, director of the Cancer Therapy Research Center, and longtime Trustee of Trinity University. He was a member of San Antonio German Club, Order of the Alamo and The Texas Cavaliers. He continued to enjoy membership at The San Antonio Country Club and The Argyle Club. He will be remembered by his friends as a trainer of bird dogs, a hunter and sportsman, genial host, storyteller and companion.

Mr. Voigt was preceded in death by his first wife Lois Wingfield Voigt. He is survived by his daughter, Alexandra L. Kruse (New York); son, Eric W. Voigt and wife Jennifer (Austin); grandson, David L. Kruse and wife Jessica (New York); step-son Travis K. Mellard and wife Juli, and their son, Tucker (Austin).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, the McNay Art Museum, Trinity University, or the charity of one’s choice.

Joan McGuire Mellard Voigt, born October 27, 1933 to J. Douglas and Ruth K. McGuire, died June 5, 2017. She graduated from Alamo Heights schools, Mount Holyoke College (MA) and received an M.A. from Trinity University. She also attended St. Andrews University in Scotland. After a career in secondary education as a teacher and administrator at Saint Mary’s Hall, she served as educational consultant to the State Comptroller and as English professor at UTSA and Our Lady of the Lake University, retiring in 2000. She served on the San Antonio Public Library Board of Trustees [Chairman, 1987-89], San Antonio Public Library Foundation, Bexar County Historical Commission, San Antonio Commission on Literacy, Phi Beta Kappa Association of San Antonio, Junior League, Battle of Flowers Association, Gemini Ink, and The Texas Commission on the Arts, and other civic and cultural organizations in San Antonio. She was a published poet in journals such as English Journal, Borderlands, and Pax. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Robert Thomas Mellard; son, Joseph Carmichael Mellard; and her second husband, Gaines Voigt.

Joan is survived by her son, Travis K. Mellard and wife Juli, and their son, Tucker (Austin); step-son, Eric W. Voigt and wife Jennifer (Austin); step-daughter, Alexandra L. Kruse (New York); and step-grandson, David L. Kruse and wife Jessica (New York), as well as longtime family friend, Virginia Guerrero.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Holyoke Scholarship fund, the McNay Art Museum, the San Antonio Humane Society, or any charity of choice.