Arthur Art W. Kownslar Jr.

Arthur W Kownslar, Jr. was born at Ft Sam Houston Military Base, 17 February 1933 to Arthur W Kownslar and Augusta P Comte at Ft Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. Arthur’s first wife of 22 years was Phyllis Cole; she passed away on 19 December 1993. Art and Phyllis had five children, Katherine Ruth Rooker, Arthur W Kownslar, III, Ernest Kownslar, Daniel Kownslar and Tracie Drayton.

Art remarried Rachel Elizabeth Gloria on February 14, 1987. They celebrated their 25th anniversary on February 14, 2012. Art’s final year was made easier by the loving care of his wife Rachel who was with him at his passing into GOD’s hands. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother David Comte. Art’s siblings who survived his passing are Andrea C. Holmes, Ron Comte, Gayle, Charles James Kownslar.

Art entered the Army at Ft Sam Houston on November 1951. He retired from the military on 31 December 1976. He served tours at Ft Sam Houston, Okinawa, Philippines, Ft Devens, Viet Nam and numerous other locations. Art served multiple tours with the Green Berets in the Republic of Vietnam during the war and served as a Special Forces Intel Sergeant on his last tour in 1967. Art retired as a SGM in the United States Army on 31 December 1976 at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. Art was the personification of the Quiet Professional, a true “Green Beret”.

Art was selected as Serviceman of the Year with the Rotary Club in Columbus Ohio in 1973 and was a Member of the Lone Star Chapter of the U. S. Army Special Forces Association, “The Green Berets” in Austin, Texas and was the standing President of the Chapter. He was also a member of the VFW and the MinuteMan Organization. He was a member of the DAV in El Paso, TX. He also worked as a member of the Citizen Patrol within the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Department. He also served as the Treasurer and as Prescient Chairman in Prescient 21 for the Republican Party in Bastrop County. Art was the Member of the Year of the Special Forces Association at the 2011 National Convention on Florida . He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bastrop, TX for sixteen years and served as an usher. Art always gave of his time whenever possible and truly enjoyed being with his family and friends. Art worked as a drug and alcohol counselor for the VA from May 1988 thru 1995 after receiving his Masters Degree in Social Work and Counseling from our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

Art was the driving force behind the Memorial Day Service in Bastrop County and moved the celebration forward to honor our fallen brothers.

Art has gone before us to prepare the DZ for our eventual arrival at “GODS” Drop Zone. Lew will have a wonderful place in GOD’s Kingdom may GOD have mercy on his soul and grant him everlasting peace.

Art is survived by his Spouse Rachel Kownslar of Bastrop and his children; sons:Arthur William Kownslar, III (Muldraugh, Kentucky), Ernest Andrew Kownslar (Gardner, Massachusetts), Daniel and Eileen Kownslar (Rosemount, Minnesota) and daughters: Katherine and David Rooker (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), Tracy Drayton (Hendersonville, North Carolina) Art is also survived by his grandchildren Quentin Kownslar (son of Arthur), Philip and Cherise Kownslar (son and daughter of Daniel), Aubrey, Emily and Natalie Rooker (children of Katherine), Justin, Kristen and Brandon Hirsh (children of Tracy), and great-grandchildren: Hannah, Jhenna and Camm Hirsh, Racheal L.B. and Brandon James Hirsch. Art's brothers: Ron and Debbie Comte, Charles Kownslar, James Kownslar, and sisters: Andrea Holmes and Bill Holmes of Satellite Beach, Florida, Gayle Kownslar

Predeceased by his father Arthur W. Kownslar Sr., brother David Comte and mother Augusta Comte.

Pallbearers: Art Kownslar Jr., Daniel Kownslar, Philip Kownslar, David Rooker, Bill Holmes

Visitation for Art is Tuesday, June 12, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Marrs-Jones-Newby Funeral Home. Service are Wednesday, June 13th at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church, located at 1201 Water Street in Bastrop, Texas. Burial is Thursday, June 14th at 9:45 AM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.