Raymond Bernard Hoelscher

Raymond Bernard Hoelscher was born on February 18, 1938.  He passed away with family by his side on Friday, October 13, 2023. The twelfth of fourteen children born to Herbert and Regina Hoelscher, Raymond grew up on an 80-acre farm in Violet, Texas. He attended tiny Violet school for eight years, with two teachers—one for grades one through five and another for six through eight. Each morning after mass, Raymond tossed his shoes aside and headed for school in his overalls.

In 1956, Raymond graduated from Robstown High School, where he played baseball all four years and football his senior year. During the summer, he worked for his father’s company, Hoelscher Electric. 

After high school, Raymond early-drafted and joined the army. He served with the 97th Signal Corp at Stuttgart Army Base in Germany. He and his fellow radio operators supported communications between headquarters and other bases. His term ended in October 1959. Raymond entered the army weighing 171 pounds. Upon discharge, he weighed in at 240. This earned him the nickname “Poochie” when he got back home. 

Working full time at Hoelscher Electric, Raymond saved enough to purchase a 1961 Black Hawk Studebaker. Two years later, he traded it in for his first love, a 1963 Avanti. In 1965, Raymond met Helen Marie Laughlin at Snapka’s Drive-In. She was hanging out with a group of girls who wanted a ride in his Avanti. A year later, the car was paid off, and on October 1, 1966, Raymond and Helen wed at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Violet. On January 1, 1968, Helen gave birth to Stephen Michael Hoelscher. Stephen graduated from TAMUCC in 1991 and married Gwynetta Faucett in 1992.

On August 2, 1997, Raymond’s wife Helen passed away of complications from Lupus. Raymond missed Helen, but he knew she wouldn’t want him to be alone. 

On August 1, 1998, Raymond met Judith Meischen Jacobs at an Al Dean dance at the Orange Grove Rifle Club. On February 17, 2001, they married at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Violet. 

Raymond was blessed with two grandchildren—Rush Sawyer Hoelscher, born November 2, 1998, and Reagan Grace Hoelscher, born May 20, 2002. At age 67, he retired from Hoelscher Electric and began traveling with Judi and his twin sisters, Rosa Lee and Floy Lee. He and Judi also enjoyed many vacations and special memories with their grandchildren. Raymond and Rush loved barbecuing, hunting, and eating whatever Judi baked and put in front of them. Raymond and Reagan loved decorating the Christmas tree, gardening, and just spending time together. He was very proud of both of them for their strong commitment to God, their Catholic faith, and their Aggie education. (Rush and wife Aynsley, Class of 2021; Reagan, Class of 2024).

Raymond’s grandfather helped build the original St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Violet, and Raymond’s father assisted in the building and supervising of the “new” church. Raymond followed in their footsteps and continued their work. He was an active member and served on numerous committees. He was best known for his contributions to the annual Oktoberfest; he was the auctioneer and one of several chiefs in charge of barbecuing. He also served as President of the Cemetery Association and as a member of the Men’s Club and the Historical Society.

Raymond is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Regina Hoelscher, his 13 siblings, and his wife Helen; his sisters include Leona, Dorothy (Corky), twin sisters Rosa Lee and Floy Lee, Mary Louise (Ed), Tina (Bill), and Geri (John - living); and his brothers, Walter (Nathlene), Jerome (Marguerite - living), William (Franny), Francis (Margie), Richard (Ella), and Edgar (Gaynelle). 

He is survived by his wife, Judith Meischen Hoelscher; son, Stephen Hoelscher (Gwynetta); grandson, Rush Hoelscher (Aynsley); granddaughter, Reagan Hoelscher; and a multitude of friends, nieces, nephews, extended family, and fellow parishioners who loved him. Raymond was looking forward to the upcoming birth of his first great-grandchild in January and the graduation of his granddaughter from Texas A&M University in May. We are sure he will be smiling from Heaven on these special days and all the others to follow.  

He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace with that big, beautiful Hoelscher family.

All services are to take place on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Violet, Texas. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30. The Funeral Mass begins at 11:00 a.m. with Interment to follow at the St. Anthony Cemetery in Violet, Texas. 

Pall Bearers include Vance Meischen, Larell Meischen, Steve Seidel, George Gawlik, Michael Corcoran, Leslie Hoelscher.

Honorary Pall Bearers Don Havelka, Sam Morris, Thomas Busenlehner, J.T. Kircher, Frank Cain, Keith Emshoff, Norbert Hoelscher, and Karl Hoelscher.