Born on January 31, 1941 to John and Margaret Renker (McLeod) in Austin, Texas, John was raised in a Christian home and identified as a Methodist. John attended UT Austin and graduated with an associate’s degree. He then went on to marry the love of his life, Sue, after meeting on a blind date-a true love at first sight romance that endured 58 years. John worked for the City of San Antonio in the public works department for 38 years. He worked on street design with an expertise in drainage planning.
John loved sports. He particularly excelled at football, fishing, flying model airplanes (with and without a motor), racing anything that would go fast (as he didn’t know slow), and hunting. He was proud of playing on the Burbank Bulldogs football team during high school and was part of the winning “Stone Wall Defense”. John was an active member of the Burbank reunion committee for many years. John competed in bass fishing tournaments all around Texas. He took his family fishing on lakes, in the bay and deep sea creating many fond memories. He also competed in flying model airplanes, many of which he built himself from kits. He has many long lasting, enduring friendships from the HOTSS flying club which he helped keep running. He hosted an annual ranch Memorial Day get together for the club at his Hill Country property when weather cooperated. Sue even allowed him to convert an extra bedroom to an airplane workshop…until his grandson, Noah, stayed with them for a college semester. Anyone who knew John realized he was either at his property or the flying field on weekends. As far as racing, it was in his blood so to speak. He liked remote control cars and boats, sports cars, model airplanes, and boats. He passed this passion on to his son Rob. Whether it was go-karts, BMX biking or motorcycling, John supported Rob’s racing interest with enthusiasm and pride. He was so happy to take a few rides in Rob’s dream car-a Mustang GT that Rob modified and named “Hellanor 500”. John was a great marksman with guns. He taught his whole family the importance of gun safety and etiquette, along with precision aim skills. He harvested many deer by his skillful hunting, but he enjoyed observing them and appreciating their lives in nature just as much.
John served as a road committee advisor for the Kendalia Ranches subdivision where he and Sue bought their country home. He brought a lot of skill and knowledge to the volunteer group, our roads are much improved because of his assistance.
Hosting get-togethers for family and friends, and an annual Easter celebrations at his Hill Country home, was a source of great pleasure. John’s younger brother Ron and his family would come to enjoy the hill country, with their kids staying for a few memorable sleepovers. John always relished the time when his son Rob would come visit from north Texas, and he cherished and celebrated all of Rob’s many accomplishments. He felt very fortunate to have his daughter Kim and family living on the ranch. It brought him great joy to watch Kim and her husband Eric raise their boys in the Hill Country. He loved his grandsons Noah and Ethan, faithfully encouraging them to work hard in their studies and interests. He spent some time with them almost every weekend when Sue was by his side making sure to catch up on what was happening in their lives.
John leaves behind his son, Rob Renker; daughter, Kim (Eric) Harrison; grandsons, Noah and Ethan Harrison; sisters-in-law, Betty Renker, Lisa Fogg, and Bobbie Mowery, and brother-in-law Sam Mowery.
During the last days of his life John was cared for by family, and the kind people of Hill Country Memorial Hospice at his ranch home. The family wishes to thank everyone for their love and support through prayers, notes of encouragement, and meals. John had an extra thankfulness for those who remembered his love of ice cream, shakes, and anything with cherries.
A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, February 03, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Sunset North Funeral Home, 910 N Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas, 78232.
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