Thomas Jerry ‘T.J.’ Placker Sr.
Thomas Jerry "T.J." Placker Sr., 71, died Aug. 18, 2010, at an Austin hospital surrounded by his family and friends.
He was born Sept. 10, 1938, in Kenedy to Von Thomas and Minnie Magnolia Placker, and had a career as an aircraft mechanic.
He retired from the Navy Nov. 22, 1983, after 28 years of service and became a ranch manager for Roy A. Butler at River Ranch in Liberty Hill. He retired from River Ranch Feb. 15, 2001. After his retirement, he loved living on the lake with his wife Zella.
He was an accomplished marksman, enjoyed hunting and guns as well as making chandeliers and candle holders out of horns. Even though he had been retired since 2001, he still managed to find ranch work and enjoy the ranch life, cattle and horses he loved so much.
He went to work on the Tired S. Ranch, which was owned by his friends Vern and Jan. He was never one to sit around, always having a project, and if there wasn’t a project he invented one.
His favorite saying was, “I may have my faults, but being wrong isn’t one of them”.
He and his wife loved having barbecues with friends and family.
In addition to his wife of Marble Falls, survivors include daughter Candy O’Neal and husband Ken of Houston; son William Von "Bill" Placker and wife Renee of Granite Shoals; grandchildren Jake, Charla, Jennifer, Lana, T.J., Lelan and Alyssa; four great-grandchildren; sister Janet "Tootsie" Pavur; nephews Rusty and Dusty Pavur; aunt Esther Ashmore; and many cousins and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son Thomas Jerry "Pete" Placker; and his beloved dogs Spotted Dog, Bob Dog, Jack and Piddle.
A memorial service is 10 a.m. Aug. 28 at his home on Lake Travis, 130 Bonnie Lane in Marble Falls, with the Rev. Kevin Munn officiating.
Munn was like a son to him.
He will be honored by the Highland Lakes Honor Guard conducting full military honors. Dress is very casual.
A memorial donation can be made in his name to the American Cancer Society,
P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or the American Disabled Veterans, P.O. Box 143001, Cincinnati, OH 45250.
Arrangements are by Edgar Funeral Home, 2105 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls, (830) 693-5808.