Startz Cafe will close Saturday to honor James Oliver Startz Jr., “our husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa and friend.”
The Fischer resident died Sunday, April 20, at the age of 81.
Startz is a descendant of Johann Startz, who arrived on the first ship sent by the ‘Adelsverein’ — a colonial attempt to establish a new German settlement in Texas — in 1844.
A funeral service is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home in Sattler/Canyon Lake.
The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. Internment follows at Cranes Mill Cemetery in Startzville. A celebration of life is scheduled afterward at the Startz Cafe.
According to Startz’s obituary:
“James was born (Aug. 19, 1943) and raised in Comal County and lived and raised his family there as well. He attended Sherwood School and Canyon High School, then continued his education at Southwest Texas.
“Somewhere in the time he was getting his education, he learned that he just wanted to work, and he was good at it. In that time, he met his wife, Jean, who gave him all her love and unwavering support.
“In his earlier years, James was on the board of the Canyon Lake Volunteer Fire Department. He also played fast-pitch softball and was an extremely skilled pitcher. His love for the game was passed on to his son, whom he later coached.
“James was always an avid outdoorsman. Anytime between working was spent outside, whether that was going hunting, fishing, gardening at his house, or just working on the ranch. He used to say the reason he worked all year was to be able to go hunting.
“James started work as a home builder then moved into concrete work and started Startz Concrete with help of his wife Jean in the office.
“James was a talented tradesman no matter the job. His work ethic was a foundation of his character that was inherited by both of his children.
“Riley still works at the same concrete company started by James years ago, and Monica has operated the family restaurant Startz Cafe for decades. He was so proud of them both.
“After retiring from the concrete business, James never stopped working. He and his wife Jean raised cows, sheep, goats, and worked in their garden every day. He always found an excuse to use machinery around the ranch. He was never a man to sit around unless it came to camping, playing dominoes, or visiting with friends and family at Fischer Bowling Alley, where he was a director for many years.
“Family meant the most to James and out of all his favorite things, he was the fondest of doing them with family. If you had the pleasure of knowing James, you would know that although his words were few, his words held value and more meaning than most. He knew when to listen and knew when to say something and exactly what to say.
“James was a hardworking family man whose wisdom and character can’t be replaced. The space in our hearts left by his loss here on earth can’t be filled, but we know that God made a special space for him in heaven to be called home.
“He is preceded in death by his parents, James Startz Sr. and Lorine Pantermuehl Startz, brother-in-law Donnie Duncan and nephew-in-law Cameron Stade.
“He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean, children, Riley Startz and wife Deborah, Monica Wetz and husband Bill, grandchildren, James (Jenny), Haley (Cody), Ranger (CJ), Taylor, Tillie, Emma (John) his great-grandchildren Ruger and Rylee, his sister Sandra Duncan, nieces Amber and Michelle (Chris), great nieces, and great nephew.”
To learn more about the Startz family and the history of Startzville, click here to read information provided by Comal County for a 2014 historical marker.
In 2014, New Braunfels’ Sophienburg Museum & Archives wrote this story about the Startz family.
