Raymond Fred Klespies

He was raised a country boy by his mom and his grandparents, Carroll and Mary Howard in Carrizo Springs, TX. He worked on ranches and played football earning a scholarship to play at Abilene Christian and eventually graduating from Texas A&I University where he met Mary Grace LaCour. They married June 8, 1974 at First Baptist Church, Bishop, Texas and moved to Carrizo Springs where they would welcome three children to the family. For 48 years, Ray would adore Mary Grace who took such excellent care of him.

Ray was a loving, sincere, and kind-hearted man who wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people through opportunities in agriculture. He changed the lives of many young men and women by the investments he made in them through FFA.

Ray was an ag teacher in Asherton, Carrizo Springs and Floresville. He would finish a 28 year teaching career in Floresville ISD to retire to operating a small business, Super K Show Supply. He also drove a school bus route, worked at Lyssy and Eckel, and moonlit at Builder's Square to make a better living for his family and model the importance of hard work. He wanted his children to have a better life than he ever did.

To his children, he was a lovingly devoted father. There was never a day that any of his children questioned his love for them. He was always in contact and provided so much encouragement and support. He and Mary Grace faithfully raised their children at First Baptist Church (Carrizo Springs and Floresville). Ray testified that he knew Jesus as Lord, and he knew God's hand was on his life and protected him and his family so many times.

Ray is preceded in death by his mother, Billie (Howard) Wakefield.

He is survived by wife, Mary Grace; daughter Sarah Viertel and husband Jay of Beeville, TX; son Ross Klespies; daughter Laura Klespies and husband Calvin. Ray has two grandchildren, Calvin and Ryan Johnston.

The Klespies family will hold a visitation at the First Baptist Church of Floresville on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 10:00 am.  A Memorial Service will follow at 11:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the First Baptist Church in Floresville or the Floresville Academic Scholarship Fund in Ray's honor.