Police probe Oct. 24 death of former Marble Falls teacher
Douglas L. Effinger, 46, was discovered in his Third Street home Oct. 28, according to Marble Falls police Capt. Floyd Goodwin. He was last seen alive Oct. 24.
“He had been there about five days before a friend found him,” Goodwin told The Daily Tribune. “There was no sign of foul play or trauma to the body. He was a bachelor, and the house was real orderly.”
Goodwin said a preliminary autopsy report by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office didn’t reveal a conclusive cause of death.
“We’re going to have to wait for the complete toxicology report to come back, and that could take about a month,” he said.
Effinger was an educator for 23 years, teaching students in Huntsville before coming to Marble Falls. He taught sixth-grade history at Marble Falls Middle School until stepping down recently, Goodwin said.
Friends said Effinger will be remembered for his love of the outdoors and his passion for music.
He is survived by his mother, Peggy Cantrell of The Woodlands; brothers Robert and wife Laurie Effinger of Spring, Garry and wife Cindy Effinger of Conroe and James and wife Debra Effinger of Plano; sisters Cheryl and husband Justin Stithem of Spring and Sherlene Cantrell of Conroe. He is also survived by his stepmother Joean Effinger of Katy, along with friends Troy Reust and Steven Mark Fitzgerald.
Effinger was preceded in death by his father Eugene Effinger of Houston and his stepfather Travis Cantrell of Conroe, along with three stepbrothers and his stepsister.
A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Monday at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls.
chris@thepicayune.com