Early Alva (E. A.) Limmer, Jr.

Early Alva (E. A.) Limmer, Jr., age 88, of Temple died Thursday, July 10, 2008 in a local nursing home. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 12, at Christ Episcopal Church with The Rev. David Alwine officiating. Entombment will follow at Bellwood Memorial Park. Mr. Limmer was born February 6, 1920, in Alligator, located five miles east of Bartlett, Bell County, Texas to Early Alva and Annie Mae Messer Limmer, Sr. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1937 and from Texas State University in San Marcos in 1941. He married Italia Theresa Del Cont at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Welch, West Virginia, on June 9, 1954. Limmer worked for Shell Oil Company 38 years retiring January 1, 1983. Shell Oil Company sent him to Hobbs, New Mexico, Odessa, Midland, and Houston. Following his retirement, the Limmers lived in Temple. They were members of Christ Episcopal Church. He served on the boards of Tablerock, the Salado Historical Society, Bartlett Activity Center, Inc., the Central Texas Orchestral Society, and the Bell County Museum. A native of Bartlett, Limmer supported its historic endeavors and assisted in securing many historical markers there as well as in other communities. He restored the Messer-Limmer farmhouse originally constructed in 1895 and recorded a Texas Historical Landmark in 1989. He gave the farmhouse to the Texas Early Day Tractor and Engine Association and moved it from the Messer-Limmer farm to the association's location on Eberhard Road in Temple. From 1985-88 Limmer chaired the Bell County Historical Commission while simultaneously heading the committee that produced "The Story of Bell County", a two-volume, 1100 page county history. He was president of the Heart of Texas Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution, the Edward Kellum Chapter of the Society of the War of 1812, and of the George W. Tyler Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. In addition, he held membership in the Jamestowne Society, Order of the Crown of Charlemagne, Magna Carta Barons, Plantangenet Society, Texas Society of Colonial Wars, Knights of the Garter, and Friends of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, England. He was particularly known for his work and long association with the Bell County Museum. Limmer contributed significantly to efforts in the 1980's and 1990's to renovate the Carnegie Library Building in Belton as the museum and in the 2002-2005 expansion of it. He donated the Alligator Creek Collection to the museum, a large volume of artifacts that document a vanishing way of life relating to pioneer settlers of this county. The museum notes this gift's importance with its inscription, "Building A Legacy: the E. A. Limmer, Jr. Collection." Numerous organizations recognized his outstanding and sustained contributions in preserving local history. Recognitions of his work came from the State of Texas, Bell County, National Societies of both the Daughters and the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Bartlett Activity Center, Inc. In 1991 the Texas House of Representatives designated him "a living cultural and historical resource because of his time and talents to advance the cultural and historical enrichment of Bell County and his contribution to the heritage of Texas." Hon. Janice Atkinson, mayor of Bartlett, and Hon. Jon H. Burrows, Bell County judge, each proclaimed February 6, 2004, "E. A. Limmer, Jr. Day." In April 2007 the Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution awarded Limmer its Silver Service Medal in recognition of his countless contributions to the organization since he first joined the society in Houston more than fifty years ago. The citation noted that "Compatriot Limmer... distinguished himself and ... brought great credit to [the] society and, for this, the Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution is indeed blessed and honored." In May 2007 the Betty Martin Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution presented Limmer with its nationally authorized Community Service Award. This prestigious recognition resulted from Limmer's long-standing and dedicated service to our community. The award acknowledges his many contributions in preserving local history, but it also paid tribute to his quite, behind the scenes service to individuals he rendered without fanfare but with steadfast devotion. For many years after Limmer's 1983 return to Bell County, he continued to travel to Houston to attend Grand Opera performances and to attend Houston Museum of Fine Arts' exhibits. He and his wife were patrons of the arts wherever they lived.