Norman Theis

Norman Theis passed away January 18, 2014 at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife Edna (Etta Mae); son, Karl Theis; daughter-in-law, Mille; grandchildren, Andrea and Jacob; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Harry Theis; mother, Lydia Rompel Theis; and sisters, Loraine Speckmiear Shavor and Geraldine Scheel.

Norman was born on November 25, 1924 in Bexar County and grew up on the family ranches/farms. He graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 1942. Then joined the U.S. Marine Corps in January 1943 and served during World War II in the Pacific front until January 1946. He married his childhood sweetheart, Etta Mae Tatsch, on November 23, 1948 while attending Trinity University where he played football, was a Golden Gloves boxing champ, and graduated with a B.S. degree in chemistry. After graduation, he again served in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1951 to 1952 during the Korean War. In 1952 Norman was employed by the I.B.M. Corporation as a customer engineer in San Antonio and continued with IBM for 35 years until his retirement in 1987. During his career with IBM, after his retirement, and until his death; he ran a cattle ranching operation on the family ranch in Bexar County and after 1978 in Medina County. In 2001 Norman and Etta Mae moved to the Medina County ranch, south of Hondo, to be closer to Karl, Mille, Andrea, and Jacob. Norman was a loving, devoted, dedicated son, brother, husband, father, uncle, nephew, cousin, father-in-law, grandfather, and friend. He consistently strove to do the best at anything he did. He was an avid sports fan and as a father dedicated a lot of time to coaching/helping Karl excel in athletics. Norman and Etta Mae “never missed a game.” Likewise, in recent years Norman enjoyed attending as many events as possible that Andrea and Jacob participated in.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2014 at Sunset Funeral Home. Graveside Service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, January 25, 2014 at Sunset Memorial Park. Condolences may be offered at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com .

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to: Medina Healthcare Fund, attn.: Christina Garcia, 3100 Avenue E, Hondo, TX 78861 or online at www.medinahospital.net.