Leroy Bahner

Leroy "Sonny" Bahner, age 91, resident of Wharton County for 69 years, passed away at home on Friday, Feb. 22, 2008. He was born April 20, 1916 in Holman.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Lois Goodson Bahner; his son, David Lane Bahner; his parents, Ferdinand "Fred" Bahner and Wilhelmina Bittner Bahner; and a sister, Essie Lee B. Morales.

Survivors include his daughter, Linda B. Duncan and sonin law William Carl Duncan of Beaumont; daughter-in-law, Edith Bahner-Kelly of New Waverly; granddaughter; Lauren Faggard of Beaumont; grandson, David Gregson Bahner of Huntsville; grand son-in-law, A. Mark Faggard; great-granddaughter, Amanda Faggard; and aunt, Mary Bittner Luecke.

Mr. Bahner was an honor boy and won the math contest in the Colorado County meet when he was in the seventh grade. He was an organizer, charter member, and director of the Gulf Coast Cutting Horse Association; a member, director and president of Wharton Quarter Horse Breeders; and an approved judge and member of the American Quarter Horse Association. He was also an approved judge and member of the National Cutting Horse Association and an approved judge for both the American Paint Horse Association and the Appaloosa Horse Breeders Association.

He has been associated with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as a contestant, committeeman or chairman since 1947. He was also a life member and an honorary lifetime director of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Mr. Bahner was also a chairman of the Cutting and Cattle Committee for six years and chaired the registered cutting for three years under G.W. Townsand, Chairman of Bay City. He won numerous cutting awards including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, premiums amounting to more than 125 silver buckles plus saddles and various other tack.

Mr. Bahner won his last cutting he entered at the Townsand Ranch and the last roping he entered at the Janak arena in Columbus. This was a youth and old men's roping contest. His son, David and Kenny Ferguson entered him, unbeknownst to him. He was visiting and heard his name called to rope. He climbed on his son's kid-saddled horse and won the roping competition.

Mr. Bahner managed the J.B. Ferguson Bar JF Farm and Cattle and Quarter Horse Ranch for 32 years. Here he was responsible for a breeding program of world champion Quarter Horses, both for performance and racing. He actively trained on the performance side and released the racing stock to specialized trainers. He was known far and wide in ranching and roping circles.

This lover of good food, pretty women, and cutting the rug, he grew up jerking sodas in the family confectionary in Weimar. Mr. Bahner married Lois Goodson of Columbus in 1936. He was a great daddy and a good man. He usually had a young protégé he helped in rodeo skills. Mr. Bahner loved kids. He won the most improved Wharton bowler two years consecutively and good humouredly took ribbing about how bad a bowler he must have been. He was a crack shot and avidly hunted coons, squirrels and deer. He had trophies proving the prowess of his several registered blue tick hounds which he bred, raised, hunted and sold. Mr. Bahner was devoted to the Wharton County Youth Rodeo during its entire run and an enthusiastic participant in the Wharton County Fair.

He joins a cadre of good friends and great people await him at the Hooking Bull Crossing; M.F. Montgomery, formerly of El Campo; Arty Bittner, formerly of El Campo; Fritz Garrett, formerly of Louise; Leon Locke, formerly of Wharton; Clem C. Boettcher, formerly of East Bernard; Heine Beken, formerly of Weimar; Ralph Watson, formerly of Houston; Dalla Horton, formerly of El Campo; Otis Polk, formerly of La Grange; Doug LaMond, formerly of Houston; Raymond Early, formerly of Wharton, Johnny Ferguson, formerly of Wharton and Forrest Damon, formerly of Wharton. Joining them he leaves a hole in our hearts.

If desiring, memorials may be sent to either The Wharton County Historical Museum, 3615 N. Richmond, Wharton, TX 77488; or to The Heritage Society Museum of Weimar, Inc., 125 Main Street, Weimar, TX 78962.

Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at the Chapel of Wharton Funeral Home with Ray Roberson officiating. Cowboy or casual attire requested.

Services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.