Karl Fredrik Kautz Jr.

Karl Fredrik Kautz Jr., LTC, U.S. Army Retired, passed away on August 29th, 8 days shy of his 85th birthday. He was born in Orlando, Florida on September 6, 1930 to Karl Fredrik Kautz Sr and Mary Edna Kautz. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Anne; sons Karl and wife Cindy, Charlie and wife Amy; daughters Erika Kautz Anderson and husband Scott, Flossie Kautz Heptig and husband Pat, and five grandchildren; Katie, Brooke and Evan Kautz, and Drake and Quinn Heptig.

Karl served in the Korean War as a U.S. Marine. He was a 1956 Texas Tech graduate where he played football for as an offensive right tackle. Upon graduation he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and played one season with them. He then entered the U.S. Army and served until his military retirement in 1979. He was a Vietnam War Veteran. Among his commendations he was awarded the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.

He enjoyed a second career at Coca Cola Bottling Company in San Antonio. Karl was an active member of the Alzafar Shrine, serving in both the Hospital Corp and the Honor Guard. He was a member of the Charles W. Anderson Masonic Lodge #1413, the National Sojourners Chapter 17, and the American Legion Windcrest Post 612. He was a member of Windcrest United Methodist Church. He and Anne enjoyed living at the Army Residence Community (ARC).

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 9, 2015 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home in Universal City. Interment with Military Honors and a Masonic Service will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Thursday, September 10 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzafar Shrine Hospital Corps Unit at: Alzafar Shrine, 901 North Loop 1604 W, San Antonio, TX 78232. http://www.alzafar.org/