John Womack

John Ramsey Womack Sr. passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at his home in Kingsville. He died peacefully, having just received Holy Communion and a back scratch from his wife, Jean Marie. At 88 years old, he will be remembered for his dedication to faith and family and for his sharp wit. Friends affectionately called him "JR" or "Jackie," and he was known to love Javelina football, golf, and hunting.
JR was born on November 8, 1927 to Ramsey and Bernice Womack in Riviera. He grew up there working on his father's dairy farm and grocery store and proved to be resourceful young man. He ran a local paper route, and at 8 years old JR gave up his bicycle for Lent only to end up driving his daddy's car to finish the route. After he graduated from High School in 1944, he joined the U.S. Army and served in occupied Japan. With shipments of goods from his father's stateside grocery, he bartered with locals. Upon returning from the service, he married his Riviera sweetheart Jean Marie May, one of 14 siblings, in 1947. They started their own family of five children that has grown into a loving and loud group of 43.
JR attended Texas A&I College, where he received a BBA in Accounting and a Master's degree in Business Administration. For 60 years after, he worked as a Certified Public Accountant, with the majority of those years in Kingsville. On days off, he golfed at the L.E. Ramey course, and once hit a hole in one. JR also attended countless Javelina football trainings and games and served on the search committee that hired legendary A&I football coach Gil Steinke. JR didn't fully retire until age 86, and in his semi-retirement years, he could often be found at Womack & Womack, catching an afternoon nap in his desk chair, or at his favorite restaurant "The Plastic Cow," which is what he called Sirloin Stockade. JR kept working to "save for old age," even though his wife Jeannie assured him it was already here.
Over his life, JR was an active member of our community. He was a founding member of several local clubs such as the Tejas Dance Club, Kingsville Country Club, Kingsville Lions Club, and Kingsville Little League Baseball in the 1950s. He served on the boards of many other organizations including Kingsville Navy League, Mercantile First National Bank, Spohn Kleberg Hospital, Texas A&I University Alumni Association, and Kleberg County Savings and Loan (ad hoc). During the 1960s, JR was the local chairman of the Red Cross, leading efforts to shelter people and provide resources when hurricanes Carla and Beulah struck the area. He was a devout member of St. Gertrude Catholic Church for 64 years, and spent many an hour exercising on his stationary bicycle, reciting the rosary.
JR is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years Jean Marie Womack and by the families of his four sons and one daughter: John R. (Rick) and Cindy Womack of Houston, John L (Luke) and Debby Womack of Kingsville, John Matthew (Buddy) Womack (deceased) and Sherri Womack, John Adrian (Tiger) and Jeannette Womack of Mission, and Molly Jean and Michael Lesmeister of Spring. His large family also includes surviving brother Leo Womack of Houston and 14 grandchildren: Ashley Womack, Ramsey Womack and wife Robin, Emily Taylor, Daniel Womack, Steven Womack, Anne-Marie Womack and husband Stacey Branham, Luke Womack and wife Ashley, Laredo Womack, Brad Womack and wife Connie, TJ Womack and wife Shanei, Allyson Womack, Leslye Womack, Quinten Womack, and Jacqueline Lesmeister. All his sons were named John after him and his youngest granddaughter goes by "Jackie" as a tribute to him. He was also blessed with 12 great-grandchildren. They will all miss his widening grin and twinkling eye, sure signs he was about to make a witty response.
Our family would like to thank JR's supportive caretakers, who allowed him to live in the comfort of his own home: Ida Pruemer, Frank Harper, Sue Williams, and Sandra Garcia. Memorial contributions can be made to the Javelina Booster Club, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. (Javelina Club 700 University Blvd., MSC 202 Kingsville, TX 78363)

Visitation

Turcotte Piper Mortuary
205 General Cavazos Blvd.
Kingsville, TX  78363
Friday, December 11, 2015
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

St Gertudes Catholic Church
1120 S. 8th st
Kingsville, TX  78390
Friday, December 11, 2015
5:00 pm tp 9:00 pm

Service

St Gertudes Catholic Church
1120 S. 8th st
Kingsville, TX  78363
Saturday, December 12, 2015
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Vattmann
Vattmann, TX