Melvin A. Reimer

Melvin A. Reimer Melvin Adolph Reimer was born on October 8, 1916, in the community of Tavener, Texas (outside of East Bernard) and died at home on August 20, 2012, on the same property where he was born and raised. His parents were Hattie Gerke Reimer and Emil Reimer. He attended Tavener School and graduated from Richmond High School in 1934. Mr. Reimer attended Sam Houston State Teachers’ College in Huntsville, Texas where he excelled in all sports. After working his way through Sam Houston State, he graduated in 1938. In 1975 “Rookie” Reimer was inducted as a distinguished alumni into the Sam Houston State Bearkat Hall of Honor and in 1995 and into the Sam Houston State Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Reimer always felt that much of his success in life he owed to Sam Houston State. After graduation Mr. Reimer coached all sports at Markham High School where his teams all won district championships. It was there he met Ruth Brown and they were married on July 16, 1939 in Austin Texas. From there he moved to Boling, Texas where he coached and taught. He remained there until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1941. After World War II he returned to Boling High School. The family also lived in Victoria, Houston, Waco, and Florida. It was during this period that Mr. Reimer and his wife Ruth began to raise a family of five children. In 1952 he left the classroom and athletic field to enter the life insurance business where he achieved much success and many awards. He ultimately became vice-chairman of the board of American Amicable Life Insurance Company. All of his life Mr. Reimer was an active member of the communities in which he lived. He was especially devoted to the Methodist Church; after retirement he taught the Joy Class at First Methodist Church in East Bernard where he was a member for 37 years. He was a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner. Mr. Reimer took to heart the Sam Houston motto: “The measure of a life is its service.” His personal guiding principle in life was “What the mind can conceive and truly believe can be achieved.” Mr. Reimer believed that travel was an essential part of his ongoing education and, with his wife Ruth, he travelled the world. He was a fisherman and hunter and enjoyed being around people and working in the outdoors. Mr. Reimer was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Brown Reimer, on January 4, 2003; brothers Albert and Ben Reimer and wife Ruth, sister-in-law, Pauline Schwartz and husband Herb Schwartz, and brother-law Joe Frazier Brown and wife Mary Jane Brown. Mr. Reimer is survived by sons; Gary Reimer and wife Becky of Seguin, Dave Reimer and wife Rita of Georgetown, James Reimer and partner Robyn Richter of Spicewood; daughters and sons in law; Betty Myers and husband David of Moorhead, MN and Dorothy Winkles and husband Carl of Knoxsville, TN. Grandchildren Roxanna Reimer of Seguin, Aaron Myers & wife Maya of Moorhead, MN and great grandson Christian James Myers. Sisters and brother-in-law, Ella and Joe Machac of Point Blank, Lil Dawson of Huntsville, and Ann Solomon of Stanton, CA. And loving nieces and nephews. Mr. Reimer also leaves special friends and devoted caregivers; Linda Shorter, Debbie Free, Mary Lockridge, Evelyn Johnson, and JoAnn Shorter. At the request of the family, Memorials may be given to the Permanent Endowment Fund First United Methodist Church of East Bernard, PO Box 476, East Bernard, TX 77435.