Lonnie Landgraf

Lonnie Landgraf, 84, of Brenham, Texas passed from this life on October 30, 2017 in Levelland, Texas. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Thursday, November 2, 2017, at Krestridge Funeral Home in Levelland. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at Calvary Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas. Burial will follow in the Prairie Lea Cemetery.

Lonnie was born December 26, 1932 in Brenham, Texas to Annie (Rust) and Wilhelm Bruno Landgraf. His first job after high school was with Robert H. Ray Geophysical and it took him across Texas and New Mexico and ultimately around the world. He proudly referred to himself as a ''doodlebugger'' - the commonly accepted name for people engaged in seismic prospecting for oil. He worked in Cuba, Lebanon, Uruguay, Turkey, Syria, Argentina, and Brazil. From these travels, he accumulated stories that he would enjoy telling the rest of his life.

Lonnie was a veteran of the Korean War and enjoyed telling stories of his military experiences, especially those at Guided Missile School and Officer Training. He was a member of the first guided missile battalion to leave the continental United States. While stationed in Germany he attended the University of Heidelberg and the NCO Academy in Munich.

Lonnie met Leona Key while both were students at Blinn College in 1958. Lonnie rejoined Robert H. Ray Geophysical and after he and Leona were married, they made their first home together in Tripoli, Libya. They welcomed their first daughter, Lisa there. Having amassed 13 ½ years working in the oil industry with most of it overseas, Lonnie decided to make a career change.

He and Leona returned to the states and settled in Houston where he worked for Tenneco. In 1967 he joined Republic National Life Co. and continued with the insurance firm until 1971. While in Houston, daughters Lynne and Julie were born. In 1971 they returned to Brenham.

In Brenham, Lonnie's professional career centered on the people of the city - those just passing through as well as those making it their home. On April 1, 1971 he was named manager of the Chamber of Commerce and Brenham Industrial Foundation. Generations of area children have him to thank for setting up the first mailbox to the North Pole in front of the Chamber office which became a tradition every Christmas season. He continued in that position for four years before joining American Lighting Standards as director of personnel and public relations. He stayed with the company until 1979 when it was bought by Valmont Industries. He then decided to start his own real estate business, Bluebonnet Realtors, which he owned and operated until his retirement.

He was a member for most of his adult life of Calvary Baptist Church and found his special role of service to be cooking for the congregation. He was also instrumental in establishing for member of the community the nondenominational Layman's Prayer Breakfast which met every Thursday morning at 6:45 for more than 25 years. He was also involved in the Salvation Army, Elks Lodge, Masons, Washington County Fair Association, Lions Club, Brenham Volunteer Fire Department and other civic organizations.

His favorite hobbies allowed him to spend time outside, where he especially enjoyed hunting and fishing, perhaps less for the end result and more for the opportunity to immerse himself in nature. He had a special fondness for birds and flowering cacti as well as for vegetable gardening. He also loved Appaloosa horses, dogs and raising cattle.

He lived the last year and one-half at Levelland Nursing and Rehabilitation in Levelland, Texas where he became known for his quick wit, good stories and big personality. Though surrounded by people he did not know, he never met a stranger. The family extends a special and heartfelt thanks to the staff at LNR and especially to the staff and volunteers of Interim Hospice as well as to Second Baptist Church pastor Michael Holster and his wife, Kathy.

Lonnie is survived by his wife, Leona of Brenham; his daughters, Lisa Landgraf of Cedar Park, Lynne (Chris) Quillian of Pasadena and Julie (Brian) Gerstenberger of Levelland. Also by his grandchildren, CJ (Shannon) Quillian of North Carolina, Annie Quillian of Galveston, Texas and Caleb Landgraf Johnson of Annapolis, Maryland.

Lonnie gave his family a unique appreciation for Easter nests, stew, conversation, newspapers and New Braunfels. He had an unwavering commitment to caring for his wife Leona throughout their 57 year marriage. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and prayed for them daily.

The family requests that all flowers be delivered to Calvary Baptist Church, 1100 Niebuhr Street, Brenham, Texas 77833 on the day of the service.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Krestridge Funeral Home. (806) 897-1111

---