Walter Utz
Walter Lynn Utz was born September 15, 1948, in El Campo, TX and was the only child of Walter Lee “Skeeter” Utz and Lucille Airhart Utz.
He grew up in Morales and attended Edna schools. He was a proud member of the Edna Cowboys Football team that reached the State Finals in 1965.
Lynn graduated from Texas A&I University in Kingsville with a degree in Agriculture Education. He met Anna Collamore on a blind date to the Annual A&I Rodeo and began a partnership that lasted 56 years. They married on August 30, 1968. Lynn climbed off a rice combine to go to Pleasanton to get married. Everyone around them said it would not last because they were children, but boy were they wrong!
Lynn’s first teaching job was in Runge. During this time, their first son Joel was born. In 1973, Lynn took a job in Bloomington. This began a long association with the Victoria County Livestock Show. He spent many nights in that show barn watching over his students’ animals. He started a livestock judging contest the grew to be “The One” that was the kickoff to the spring livestock judging season. Teams came from all over South Texas to participate. It was during this time; his second son Todd was born.
In 1979, Lynn moved on down the road to Industrial where he found his home as part of the “Industrial Family”. IYKYK He continued to train prize winning livestock judging teams. Highlights included placing second at the Texas FFA State Livestock Judging Contest and qualifying to go to the National Western Livestock Show in Denver, CO, and bringing home lots of banners and ribbons. Joel won the Houston Livestock Show Judging Contest as a Junior and won a scramble heifer certificate which began our journey into showing Charolais cattle and Todd’s team placed 3rd at the Texas FFA State Judging Contest.
Because Industrial ISD is in both Victoria and Jackson Counties, Lynn continued with the Victoria Livestock Show and added the JCYF, the Jackson County Youth Fair. His students were very successful, including his own boys winning Grand Champion Lamb multiple times.
He and Dee Darilek worked together to increase community participation for the auction at the JCYF. Totals went from $60,000 to over $1,000,000 in recent years. Needless to say, that was one of his crowning achievements. A few years ago, Lynn turned the Auction Chairman title to Justin Bonnot but continued to work behind the scenes to ensure a smooth and profitable auction for all.
Lynn was the Chairman of the Jackson County Beef Cattle Committee and President of the Jackson County Cattle Raisers Association. With his leadership and tireless efforts, they have given out over $45,000 in scholarships to the youth of Jackson County.
In 2000, he retired from teaching and took over the daily operations of the family ranch in Morales. Cattle, hay, tractors, and hunting occupied his time until the very end. Lynn took pride in the quality of calves he took to the local auction rings. After much experimentation, he found the magic formula for quality feeder calves in Jackson County. He crossed high quality Beefmaster cows with Charolais bulls. When his calves hit the sale ring, the buyers immediately recognized the quality and paid a premium price.
While doing all this ranch work, he rediscovered his passion for woodworking and began to make outdoor furniture for sale. He had always made wedding signs for former students, friends and family but he took it a step further and started selling furniture. Many of us are blessed to have one of his pieces in our backyards, porches, or outdoor living areas.
His grandchildren were the shining spot in his life. He attended many a 4H Shooting Sports competition for Deanna and William and delighted in every bullseye. He paid them a “bounty” for every pig silhouette they knocked down. They both earned some big buck and more than once Papa had to write a check because he didn’t bring enough cash that day.
When Hannah and Emma began activities, he went to soccer matches and dance recitals, which was something totally new for him. When the girls started showing an interest in shooting, he made sure they had everything they needed to learn how to shoot. He delighted in their achievements and desire to learn to get better.
Lynn was very proud of where he came from and loved Jackson County. From growing up a Cowboy and retiring as a Cobra, he touched hundreds of young lives and families was proud of all of their accomplishments as adults.
Lynn Is survived by his wife, Anna, his sons Joel (Tracie) and Todd (Joanna). He is also survived by his grandchildren Deanna (Erik), William, Hannah, and Emma. He is also survived by many extended family members and countless students and their families.
The family will receive visitors on Monday November 25, 2024, at 10:00am at First United Methodist Church in Edna with a funeral mass beginning at 11:00am. Pallbearers will be Jason Utz, Justin Utz, Shane Siecko, Justin Airhart, Chad Airhart, Rusty Johnson, J.P. Strickland, Ryan Utz, and Jeremy Kretser.
Memorials can be made to Dornburg Center-Hospice of South Texas, First United Methodist Church, or donor's choice.
Lynn’s family thanks everyone for their prayers, their presence, and their love during this time. Special thanks to the nurses on the 3rd floor of Detar Hospital, his great doctors, and the staff at Dornburg Center-Hospice of South Texas.
Services have been entrusted to the Todish family of Slavik & Ganado Funeral Homes.