Lloyd Walker Jary, Jr.

Our family is deeply saddened to announce the death of Lloyd Walker Jary Jr. FAIA, on Sunday, May 29th, 2022. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family. Lloyd will remain an important part of our lives, as a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, cousin, uncle, and friend. His joy, integrity and commitment to family and friends will forever inspire us all.

Lloyd was born November 12, 1933, in Fort Worth, Texas to the parents of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Walker Jary. A fifth generation Texan and the youngest of two children, Lloyd AKA “Bummy” at 6’4” was larger than life. He was the great grandson of George W. Saunders, President and Organizer of the Old Time Trail Drivers Association. He was a star football player and graduated from Arlington Heights High School. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and received a degree in Architecture where he met the love of his life, Mary Virginia “Cisi” Canales. They shared 64 amazing years together. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. To the delight of sororities and the envy of fraternities he started the first bus line on the U.T. campus, The Bummy Bus. It is here where his passion for architecture began and later led him to becoming a distinguished architect and philanthropist known throughout San Antonio and outside the state of Texas. Prior to starting his own architecture firm, Lloyd worked at Bartlett Cocke, Reginald Roberts and Associates, followed by James E. Whiteaker. In 1963 he started his own firm, Lloyd W. Jary and Associates AIA in San Antonio.

Lloyd made a presence when he walked into a room with his handlebar mustache, cowboy hat, boots, and wearing a rose (picked from their garden) pinned to his lapel. He would say “the rose attached to my lapel shows that my love, Cisi, is always with me.” He was always a happy person with a joyful laugh and a twinkle in his eyes. A colleague once said, “Lloyd personified the ‘big’ in Texas - a big man with a big personality, a big handlebar mustache and always had a big friendly smile.” He was one-of-a-kind and never met a stranger. He was very engaging, talkative and personable. He loved big gatherings with family, hosting parties with friends, and playing “pitch” with his buddies while enjoying a “youngster” (scotch and water). He and Cisi loved playing Cribbage and Gin Rummy on their porch or out in a field waiting until the evening dove hunt began.

Entertaining was a common interest for Cisi and Lloyd. During their big gatherings he loved cooking fajitas. His fajitas became so famous he flew them all over the United States, including Alaska and Australia, serving them for family and friends. Many weekends spent at the ranch, he would make cowboy bread for breakfast for all to enjoy. The aroma would fill the party barn and make your mouth water so one biscuit with molasses was never enough!

Lloyd was a true outdoorsman and known for his love of hunting in South Texas, Alaska, South Dakota, Mexico, and Canada. He also loved fishing along the Texas coast. During hunting season, weekends were spent at either A.T. Canales, Charamusco or Cibolo Ranch. He celebrated every opening day of hunting season with champagne and blueberries. He taught his children and grandchildren to love the outdoors with many years of great adventures at the ranch and on the gulf coast.

His love of skiing began in the late 50’s in New Mexico and lasted his entire life. He made sure all his children and grandchildren had the opportunity to become avid skiers with frequent trips to Taos, New Mexico and Park City, Utah. Lloyd had a certain style that used minimal turns when skiing. He simply pointed his skis downhill and that’s when the fun began.

In the 1970’s during NIOSA, Lloyd was responsible for transporting the money box from the ticket booths to Bolivar Hall. Cisi was worried that someone from the crowd would steal the money box. Together their creative minds dressed him with a vintage serape, bandolier, a fake mustache, and a huge straw sombrero. He named himself Pancho Villita. He must have liked the way that fake mustache felt, because he grew a great one after that! For over 40 years, he strolled the street party visiting with everyone while drinking cold beers. He and Cisi would dance to the bands playing Conjunto music in the Mexican Market. Pancho Villita became an iconic figure of NIOSA.

He loved participating in civic activities. His involvement began with the San Antonio Junior Chamber of Commerce where he later became president and in 1965 was recognized by the Jaycees as the “Outstanding Young Man in San Antonio.” He was member, chairman and/or president of: San Antonio Chapter American Institute of Architects, Construction Specifications Institute, San Antonio Historical Review Board, San Antonio Urban Renewal Board, San Antonio Riverwalk Commission, and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Order of the Alhambra. He was also Chair of the National AIA Historic Resource Committee, Chairman of Los Compadres, Chairman of the San Antonio Historic Design and Review Committee, Volunteer Council for Mental Health - Mental Retardation, Madonna Neighborhood Association, San Antonio Builders Association, Texas Alpha Educational Board, Keystone School Board of Directors and was one of the founders of the Phi Kappa Psi 1710 Society. In 1974 he received the Lay Leader Award from the YMCA. In 1999 Keystone School named their new Fine Arts Center after him, and in 2000 the American Institute of Architects elevated him to Fellow. In 2004 he was awarded the Public Sector Recognition Award of Texas Alpha Chapter Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. Lloyd was passionate about preserving the historic architecture within San Antonio and the state of Texas.

Lloyd is preceded in death by his parents Mary and Lloyd Jary, brother-in-law Ron Stinson, sister-in-law Bebe Canales Inkley and husband Sherwood. He is survived by his wife Mary Virginia “Cisi” Canales Jary, sister Nancy Jary Stinson, brother-in-law Gus T. Canales and wife Pat. Lloyd leaves behind his children Cy Jary and wife Susan, Elisa Jary Nieto and husband Clint, Bettina Jary Mathis and husband Travis, Pamela Jary Rosser and husband Virgil. Grandchildren: Tori Johnson Spielhagen and husband Eric, Sarah Long Lopez and husband Rubin, Jake Long and wife Tabetha, Maria Mathis, Madelline Mathis, Rachel Rosser and Ruthie Rosser. Great grandchildren: Bobby Spielhagen, Finley Spielhagen, Olivia Lopez, Colson Lopez, Kendall Long and Isla Long. His family wishes to thank physician Dr. Heberto Garza and the 3rd floor Cardiology staff at the Methodist Metropolitan Hospital. Laura Guzman, Spring Winkler and Victoria Joiner, we thank you for the care and kindness you had for Lloyd.

MEMORIAL SERVICETUESDAY, JUNE 14, 202211:00 A.M.MISSION CONCEPCION 807 MISSION ROAD In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Remember the Alamo Foundation - 321 Alamo Plaza, Suite 212, San Antonio, Texas 78205 www.rtaf.orgSan Antonio Conservation Society - 107 King William Street, San Antonio, Texas 78204 www.saconservation.org Mission Heritage Partners- 6539 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, Texas 78214 https://missionheritagepartners.org