Ricks Wilson, Sr.

They were both born within a month of each other during the Great Depression. Barbara was born in Akron Ohio, on September 18, 1930, to parents Della Mack Koch and Robert William Koch her sister Roberta followed ten years later. Ricks was born in San Antonio, Texas on October 19, 1930, to parents Leah Ricks Wilson and Ellis Miles Wilson, Sr. joining brother Ellis to round out the family.

Barbara graduated from Randolph Macon College in Virginia where she learned to enjoy all things southern. Ricks graduated from SMU where he broke many state records in athletics. On parallel tracks they both moved overseas to Germany where Ricks served in the Air Force and Barbara taught school. Mutual friends introduced the midwestern young woman to the South Texas Athlete in Germany. Their first date: a train ride and dinner. The romantic gesture fell flat when the bill came, and Ricks realized he had forgotten his wallet. He left Barbara at the restaurant for hours, the time it took for him to take the train home and back to retrieve it. When retelling the story, Barbara said, “I was not impressed”. Thankfully she agreed to a second date.

Married shortly thereafter, the young couple moved to San Antonio to begin their lives together. After the military, Ricks joined the family business, West End Lumber Company. He would end up carving out a truss and component company, and managed warehouses that he owned. Within several years their daughter Ann and son Ricky arrived. Both enjoyed time with their family and friends in Port A., Mexico and car trips in the infamous vista cruiser. They were a formidable team; Barbara organized the details and Ricks with his keen sense of direction was the compass. Also key to any long driving trip were the amazing stories Ricks could come up with. A directionally challenged Barbara would delegate tasks and keep the peace.

The couple cared deeply about their community, taking on various service roles throughout their lives, never needing accolades.The glamourus couple delighted in their grandchildren, twins Natalie and Renée, and great granddaughter Aria Bous.

Life threw Ricks a curveball with Parkinsons, never have you witnessed a man with more grace and a woman with more purpose to support him. Their health declined on parallel tracks and ultimately Barbara usually “the last to leave the party” departed this life on January 17, 2024 shortly before Ricks on January 23, 2024.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated and compassionate caregivers that became part of the family: Maria Chavez, Esmerelda Bocanegra, Carlita Mobel, Maria Alacron, Javier Elias Guajardo, and Tracy Farmer. A huge thank you to Sylvia Sanchez for her dedication and wisdom through the years. Also the fabulous support of their hospice team, Jeff Joseph, Susan George, Amber Stetson, Andy Cox and many behind the scenes people.

Barbara and Ricks are preceded in death by their parents and siblings and Sarah Burk Wilson and nephew Burk Ricks Wilson. They are survived by their daughter Ann Koch Wilson, son Ricks Wilson Jr. (Cheryl), granddaughters Natalie Ann Straus (Nico), Renée Bous (Alex) great granddaughter Aria nephew Ellis Miles Wilson III (Carolyn), niece Sally Wilson Vick (Ken) and niece Julie Nixon Wilson as well as their grandchildren, Katie Rogers (Will), Whitney Fleming (Scott), Leah Bull (Jonathan), Wilson Vick (Kristen), Beau Wilson ( Jessica) and Juliana Wilson, and their families.

MEMORIAL SERVICETHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 202411:00 AMST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH315 EAST PECAN STREET

You may watch the livestreaming of their service here.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you take extra time to tell stories. laugh and connect with the ones you love.