Sonny Lutz

August "Sonny" Alfred Lutz, Sr. entered eternal life on Monday, November 16, 2015 after a short battle with liver cancer. Born July 20, 1935 in D'Hanis, Texas, Sonny was the firstborn and only son of William Arnold and Beulah Mae Rudinger Lutz. According to his three sisters, Alyne, Joan, and Mildred, he was their parents' favorite. His sisters often told tales of their brother's mischievous behavior in his youth. These stories were fervently denied by him and never confirmed. \r\n\r\nSonny graduated from D'Hanis High School in 1953. During his school years, he raised pet squirrels, worked on the family farm, milked cows at 4:00 a.m. every morning, and played football for the D'Hanis Cowboys.\r\n\r\nSonny's love for God began at Holy Cross Catholic Church in D'Hanis, Texas, where he served as an altar boy and performed in many Christmas plays. He prayed about becoming a priest until a beautiful, talented, and bubbly Medina High School cheerleader named June Jacoby tripped in front of his car at a football game. After meeting June, Sonny knew that the Lord had other plans for his life.\r\n\r\nSonny and June were married on February 23, 1957. They left for their honeymoon in Sonny's beloved 1953 Mercury Monterey, which his clever groomsmen had decorated with Elvis Presley song titles. The couple's honeymoon began in San Antonio where they saw the film Around the World in Eighty Days. Their honeymoon was much too short, lasting a mere 58 years.\r\n\r\nAfter eleven months of marriage, the couple welcomed their first son, Al. The following year, they were blessed by the birth of their second son, Peter. Happiness grew with the addition of two loving daughters, Tammy and Laurie. Sonny was the perfect Dad! He taught his sons and daughters how to fish, dig for arrowheads, play games, and ride bikes. He also helped his sons and grandsons create championship Pinewood Derby cars. He possessed a love for nature, adoration for his wife, and was deeply devoted to the Lord.\r\n\r\nFor years, Sonny owned Medina Auto Repair. He later worked in Kerrville, San Antonio, and Houston as an auto mechanic. He installed aircraft instruments for Mooney Aircraft. He also fabricated aircraft instruments and designed patented technology at Weston Instruments. In 1968, he founded L&S Homes, gaining a reputation for excellence in building custom homes. His sons, Al and Peter, joined him in business. His business has continued to flourish for 47 years due to his meticulous craftsmanship. \r\n\r\nSonny was a founding member of Calvary Temple Church in Kerrville. He was active in the church, serving as a board member and teaching Marriage Class with his wife, June. Additionally, he helped build the current sanctuary and, with divine inspiration, designed the stairs leading to the baptistry. At Hallelujah Night, he and his wife were well-known Sumo wrestling referees and ring toss retrievers. \r\n\r\nSonny's hobbies included beekeeping, gardening, grafting, antique clock restoration, woodworking, crafting violins and guitars, and playing dominos.\r\n\r\nSonny's favorite part of life was making memories with his wife, children, and grandchildren. Special memories include: trips to the coast; celebrating his 50th Wedding Anniversary in Hawaii with the entire Lutz clan, cleverly encouraging others to hike the active volcano while he napped, handfeeding birds at the condo, and admiring pilot whales from a zodiac boat; and the treasured tradition of celebrating Christmas Eve with his family.\r\n\r\nThe best and highest use of Sonny's bountiful love and intelligence was his devotion to his children and grandchildren. For Sonny - now Grandad - fun and joy was spending time with his ten grandchildren: Luke, Ross, Ashley, Brittany, Amber, Alison, Alyssa, Meredith, Treyce, and Cole. Although not a direct descendent, since 2008, his furriest and "favorite child" has been Benji, a Yorkshire Terrier.\r\n\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mildred Lutz Freeman, and brother-in-law Melvin Pack. He is survived by his loving wife June Jacoby Lutz of Kerrville, son August "Al" A. Lutz, Jr. and wife Laura Lutz, son Peter A. Lutz and wife Callie Lutz, daughter Tamara J. Durbin, daughter Laurie M. Harris and husband Robert "Bob" Harris, of Kerrville. Sisters Alyne Long and husband Curtis Long of D'Hanis, Texas, Joan Pack of Grand Prairie, Texas, brother-in-law Rodney Freeman of D'Hanis, Texas. Grandchildren: Luke MacDowall and wife Kala MacDowall, Ross MacDowall and fiancée Mary Beth Murphy, Ashley Lutz and Andy Wilson, Brittany Lutz, Amber Harris and Charles Myers, Alison Waldon and husband Mason Waldon, Alyssa Lutz, Meredith Lutz, Vincent "Treyce" Durbin III, and Cole Lutz. There are also numerous, much-loved uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.\r\n\r\nSonny's quick wit and dry humor, practical jokes, and personalized nicknames were enjoyed by all who knew him. The perfect husband, dad, and grandad - his love for Christ and selfless devotion to family will be remembered and cherished always. \r\n\r\nVisitation will be held on Thursday, November 19 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Grimes Funeral Chapels in Kerrville, Texas.\r\n\r\nThe funeral service will be on Friday, November 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Temple Church officiated by Pastor Del Way. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery.\r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Calvary Temple Church Building Fund or Ernie Ehabe Bread for Life missions.\r\n \r\nThe family of Sonny Lutz wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Alamo Hospice, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and caregiver Cynthia Tears.\r\n