James "Jim" Robert Ankenbauer

James Robert Ankenbauer was born to George Martin and Florence Ankenbauer (née Moenning) in Cincinnati, OH on May 18th, 1930. He was the youngest of their 9 children. He grew up surrounded by extended family in their neighborhood and graduated from Roger Bacon High School in 1948. He loved to tell the story that by the time he came around, his older siblings’ reputation had made him unwelcome by the strict nuns who ran the school they had attended. He was a dedicated student, kept in line by the nuns’ threat of a ruler to the knuckles, and particularly loved poetry. Poems he memorized in school were still remembered and recited for the rest of his long life.

James worked for the Billboard Publishing Company as an apprentice printer while also attending the University of Cincinnati Evening College for a year. Unsure about continuing that line of work or continuing college, James and his buddies attended a military enlistment fair where he narrowly “escaped” enlisting in the Army when an old family friend pulled him out of the Army line and signed him up for the Air Force instead, thereby keeping the military tradition set by every single one of his siblings. His enlistment kicked off a 30-year career in the United States Air Force where he ultimately and proudly attained the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant. His Air Force career took him all over the world from Greenland to England, from Okinawa to the Philippines, and to Italy twice, as well as to many U.S. states. He served his country in the Vietnam War, while his true hero was at home caring for their growing family. His decorations include the Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Gallantry Cross with Palm Device and the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Jim met the love of his life, Sandra Sue James, while he was stationed at a radio tower in rural Missouri in 1952. He was out for a night on the town when he met her at a diner in her hometown of Kirksville. Sandra had two quarters, her change from her burger and soda, sitting on the table where she was eating with her girlfriends. He walked by, snatched her $0.50, and with a handsome smile and a witty line, he also stole her heart. They announced their engagement a few short months later at Easter, were married in Quincy, IL on May 10, 1953.

Jim and Sandra Ankenbauer had 5 children during the first 10 years of their marriage. Jim was an excellent father with very high standards for his children, which led them each to excel in their own unique ways. He lived out his lifelong love of sports as a little league coach wherever his postings took him. The family moved about every 3 years as his assignments demanded and adapted to be flexible to the frequent change. Jim also took pride in his bowling ability, which he honed through a second job he took at the Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Club on base where he managed the bowling alley and even learned to drill balls.

In 1980, Jim finally retired from the USAF and chose Austin, TX to be their home. He says he chose Austin because of the potential to play golf 365 days a year. Aside from the church, Air Force, and family, golf was his passion and priority. Growing up in a working-class family, he did not have the luxury of access to a golf course and aspirationally began caddying at age 8 just to get his feet on the fairway. This became a lifelong dedication to the sport where he accumulated 7 holes-in-one. He found a golf course wherever he went. He made a close-knit group of friends in retirement that were both golf buddies and members of his “special projects” committee of members from the Knights of Columbus ---which seemed to only ever have one “special project”, a monthly poker night. He and his golf buddies were members of Quail Creek Country Club in San Marcos for many years, until the slightly more convenient Plum Creek Country Club opened in Kyle, TX. In addition to golf and poker, and growing up across the river from Kentucky, Jim came from a long line of horse racing enthusiasts. He enjoyed the practice of reviewing the race schedules, researching the horses, and calculating odds. Every now and then he’d visit Manor Downs or Retama Racetrack to catch up with the friends he’d made there and place a bet or two. One of the highlights of his life as a racing fanatic was his once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Kentucky Derby in 1995 with his dearest sports fans.

After retiring to Austin in 1980, he just couldn’t sit still and thus began a second career as a territory manager for Philip Morris, which helped him really get to know his new home in Central Texas. He also went back to school and attended Austin Community College where he received an Associate Degree in Marketing. He still managed to play as much golf as he desired and spent lots of quality time with his grandkids every chance he got.

Jim and Sandra’s 5 lovely children gave them 12 dear grandchildren and they were the absolute best “Oma and Opa” anyone could ever ask for. He also adored his extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He loved nothing more than a big family reunion and being surrounded by a sea of Ankenbauers. Most recently, in 2018, he was the eldest patriarch presiding over an Ankenbauer family reunion in his hometown of Cincinnati. He was beaming with pride when the jumbotron at his beloved Cincinnati Reds Great American Ballpark announced the family.

Jim and Sandra were founding members of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, where they remained active for life. He was a lifelong and very active member of the Knights of Columbus, where he made many close and lasting friendships.

Living such a long and full life, he endured the loss of many dear friends, family, and pets. The welcoming party in Heaven is sure to be a festive one--- with his loving wife of 68 years, his two youngest daughters Catherine and Mary, and his recently departed dear cousin Jerome leading the parade.

James leaves a beautiful legacy behind in the memories and lives of his surviving family who love him dearly. His eldest daughter Teresa Feutz (Pat), sons Ted (Suzanne) and Tom (Karen) Ankenbauer, 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and many dear nieces and nephews will forever keep his memory alive.

The family would also like to thank the loving and talented staff of Brookdale Beckett Meadows who cared for our dear father and Opa during the final months of his life. It meant the world to have folks with such big hearts there watching Gunsmoke, Everybody Loves Raymond, and M.A.S.H. with him when we couldn’t be. They would also like to thank Enhabit Home Health & Hospice for their care during his last couple of weeks.

Visitation will be held at Cook-Walden Funeral Home (6300 W. William Cannon Dr) on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 5:00pm, with a Rosary at 7:00pm.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am on Friday April 12, 2024, at Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church (4800 Convict Hill Rd). The mass will also be live streamed and can be watched by going to the website stcatherine-austin.org and clicking on "Watch Mass."

Graveside service will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Cemetery, followed by a reception on site.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Jim’s favorite charities: Knights of Columbus, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Boys Town USA, or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).