James Clyde Stolte Sr.

James was proceeded in death by his parents Bodo and Paula Kunde Stolte, his only brother, Kenneth Stolte, and his daughter-in-law, Karen A. Stolte. James was confirmed in 1940 at the Cibolo St. Paul Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at Lower Valley near Cibolo. His family moved to Nell, Texas in 1941. He attended Pawnee High School and played football. He graduated in 1943. After graduation, he attended Texas Lutheran College. He played softball in the city league and won championships on two occasions. He transferred to Texas State University (Southwest Texas State University) for 1 year and then enlisted into the US Navy in January 1945. James worked as an aviation mechanic in the Navy. After being discharged from the Navy, James attended and graduated from Texas A&M University at Kingsville (Texas A&I). He received a degree in Agriculture. While there, he won an Intramural Championship in softball.

James taught agriculture to war veterans from 1949 to 1952 at Kenedy and at Pawnee. James taught science at Schertz High School from 1952 to 1961 and coached the girls’ volleyball team. In 1953 he started the Vocational Agriculture Department at Schertz High School. During the summers of 1953-1954, James attended Texas A&M in Kingsville and received his master’s degree in vocational agriculture.

James married Leola Haverlah on June 6, 1953. They became parents of three sons – James Clyde Stolte Jr. (JC), of New Braunfels, with wife Karen (deceased), Stephen Stolte of Colorado/Dallas, with wife Carrie, and Michael Stolte of Houston, with wife Elaine. He took great joy in his family and was blessed with seven grandchildren – Crystal, Trey, Tijana, Natasha, Anjelaka, Michael Jr. and Stephanie. He currently has six great grandchildren – Lawson, Alena, Jelena, Amelia, Audriana, and Allison.

James moved to New Braunfels in 1961 to teach science and vocational agriculture at Canyon High School until his retirement in 1980.

James enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family and coaching his sons in Little League Baseball where they won many city championships. James enjoyed attending baseball and football games in the various neighboring towns and watching his sons play. James loved ranching and raising cattle at his home in New Braunfels and their ranch in Seguin. He enjoyed the Guadalupe River and Canyon Lake and spent many days and weekends skiing and boat riding with the boys. James was very active in buying and selling real estate and worked for the Comal County Appraisal Board for 6 summers.

James main passion was playing the German card game SKAT. He started playing at the age of 12 and continued playing throughout his life. He taught many people the skills of playing SKAT which gave him great joy. His children and some of his grandchildren also learned how to play the game as well. James was president of the Texas SKAT League for 18 years and won the state championship. He also played in National SKAT Tournaments and traveled to Las Vegas many years as well as Canada and California. He won 1st place at a national tournament one year in Las Vegas!

James and Leola loved to travel and went on extensive trips. They traveled to Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Panama Canal, Acapulco and 16 European countries. They also enjoyed going on cruises to various islands, many times with family and friends.

James loved New Braunfels and volunteered in a wide variety of organizations. He was President of the New Braunfels Retired Teachers Association, President and lifetime member of the Comal County Sportsman Club, President of the Comal County Farm Bureau for many years and attended conventions on their behalf. He was a member of the Guadalupe County Wildlife Association, the New Braunfels Elks, The American Legion Post 35, past Board Member of Hermann Sons Lodge #21, a Mason at Masonic Lodge #1109, a member of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and was President of the Retired Agriculture Teachers Association for several years. He was a lifetime member of the Freiheit Bowling Club and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

James was one of the organizers of Comal County Youth Show and started the Young Farmers Chapter of Comal County while still teaching and is a current lifetime member. James would open and work in their food booth at the Comal County Youth show for many years. James also volunteered for elections and worked the polls for numerous elections.

James was a kind and gentle man. He was very helpful and stood up for fairness among people. James will be greatly missed by many members of his friends and family.

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James Clyde Stolte, Sr. was born on September 29, 1926 in Cibolo, Texas. He passed away on April 4, 2023.

James was proceeded in death by his parents Bodo and Paula Kunde Stolte, his only brother, Kenneth Stolte, and his daughter-in-law, Karen A. Stolte. James was confirmed in 1940 at the Cibolo St. Paul Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at Lower Valley near Cibolo. His family moved to Nell, Texas in 1941. He attended Pawnee High School and played football. He graduated in 1943. After graduation, he attended Texas Lutheran College. He played softball in the city league and won championships on two occasions. He transferred to Texas State University (Southwest Texas State University) for 1 year and then enlisted into the US Navy in January 1945. James worked as an aviation mechanic in the Navy. After being discharged from the Navy, James attended and graduated from Texas A&M University at Kingsville (Texas A&I). He received a degree in Agriculture. While there, he won an Intramural Championship in softball.

James taught agriculture to war veterans from 1949 to 1952 at Kenedy and at Pawnee. James taught science at Schertz High School from 1952 to 1961 and coached the girls’ volleyball team. In 1953 he started the Vocational Agriculture Department at Schertz High School. During the summers of 1953-1954, James attended Texas A&M in Kingsville and received his master’s degree in vocational agriculture.

James married Leola Haverlah on June 6, 1953. They became parents of three sons – James Clyde Stolte Jr. (JC), of New Braunfels, with wife Karen (deceased), Stephen Stolte of Colorado/Dallas, with wife Carrie, and Michael Stolte of Houston, with wife Elaine. He took great joy in his family and was blessed with seven grandchildren – Crystal, Trey, Tijana, Natasha, Anjelaka, Michael Jr. and Stephanie. He currently has six great grandchildren – Lawson, Alena, Jelena, Amelia, Audriana, and Allison.

James moved to New Braunfels in 1961 to teach science and vocational agriculture at Canyon High School until his retirement in 1980.

James enjoyed fishing and hunting with his family and coaching his sons in Little League Baseball where they won many city championships. James enjoyed attending baseball and football games in the various neighboring towns and watching his sons play. James loved ranching and raising cattle at his home in New Braunfels and their ranch in Seguin. He enjoyed the Guadalupe River and Canyon Lake and spent many days and weekends skiing and boat riding with the boys. James was very active in buying and selling real estate and worked for the Comal County Appraisal Board for 6 summers.

James main passion was playing the German card game SKAT. He started playing at the age of 12 and continued playing throughout his life. He taught many people the skills of playing SKAT which gave him great joy. His children and some of his grandchildren also learned how to play the game as well. James was president of the Texas SKAT League for 18 years and won the state championship. He also played in National SKAT Tournaments and traveled to Las Vegas many years as well as Canada and California. He won 1st place at a national tournament one year in Las Vegas!

James and Leola loved to travel and went on extensive trips. They traveled to Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Panama Canal, Acapulco and 16 European countries. They also enjoyed going on cruises to various islands, many times with family and friends.

James loved New Braunfels and volunteered in a wide variety of organizations. He was President of the New Braunfels Retired Teachers Association, President and lifetime member of the Comal County Sportsman Club, President of the Comal County Farm Bureau for many years and attended conventions on their behalf. He was a member of the Guadalupe County Wildlife Association, the New Braunfels Elks, The American Legion Post 35, past Board Member of Hermann Sons Lodge #21, a Mason at Masonic Lodge #1109, a member of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce and was President of the Retired Agriculture Teachers Association for several years. He was a lifetime member of the Freiheit Bowling Club and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

James was one of the organizers of Comal County Youth Show and started the Young Farmers Chapter of Comal County while still teaching and is a current lifetime member. James would open and work in their food booth at the Comal County Youth show for many years. James also volunteered for elections and worked the polls for numerous elections.

James was a kind and gentle man. He was very helpful and stood up for fairness among people. James will be greatly missed by many members of his friends and family.