James J. Engelmann
5/10/1940 - 2/26/2025

James Joseph Engelmann, 84, died February 26, 2025, in San Antonio BAMC with his family by his side.

James was born May 10, 1940, in San Antonio, Texas, to Elsie T. Rauch Engelmann and Walter Gustave Engelmann. He was born at his grandmother's house now on the current site of a current San Antonio International Airport runway. He was their fourth and last child. They raised James and his sisters and brother, where he was exposed to an idyllic Christian upbringing in Three Rivers, Texas.

James played basketball and played the trombone in high school. During this time James met his lifelong love, Glenda Mary Roberts. They enjoyed a long-distance courtship, writing each other daily, while James attended Southwest State College. They married Sept. 2, 1960, in Seguin, Texas in a ceremony officiated by his Uncle Beno (memorialized with Benz-Engelmann Road in San Antonio). This day, they promised to love one another and serve Christ together as they were called.

James took a position with Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas as a chemistry professor in1962. This same year, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, Tammy, followed by two sons, Talbert and later, Todd. The young couple began attending church in Harper, Texas, often traveling to churches where they led praise and worship; Glenda playing the accordion, while James sang gospel hymns and taught the word. James was a lifelong learner and anointed teacher. He volunteered as a bible study teacher in the evenings at Schreiner and often spent long evenings counseling students and dorm residents where he lived with his family. He was a pillar of the Kerrville community serving as President of the Full Gospel Businessman's Fellowship.

After his stint teaching college classes, he became a Superintendent of various ISDs in Texas. Late in life, he became the pastor of Lighthouse Fellowship Chapel in Harper, TX. After his wife died in 2023, he was fortunate to find a second love - Barbara Dierker Engelmann whom he married November 18, 2023.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Glenda Engelmann; sister, Mary Esther Engelmann; brother, Walter G. Engelmann Jr.; and his parents.

James is survived by his loving second wife, Barbara Dierker Engelmann; his children, Tammy Engelmann Herrera (Edward Herrera), James Talbert Engelmann and Martin Todd Engelmann (Julie Ferguson Engelmann); sister, Ruth Ann Engelmann Owens Swicegood (Allen); step-children, William J. Dierker, Andrea C. Dierker, Juliana Dierker and their children (James' step-grandchildren). James had nine grandchildren, Kriston Skipper Ramirez, Hayley Skipper, Micah Herrera, Martin Herrera (Sabrina), Jessie Herrera Manning (James), Elijah Engelmann, John Engelmann (Michaela), Hannah Engelmann Miller (James), and Brynn Engelmann. Great-grandchildren are Avi Ramirez, Macy Manning, Lillian Manning, James Manning the fourth, Aria Engelmann, Ellis Herrera, Edward Manning, Naaman Engelmann and Mallory Miller. James's nieces and nephews are Douglas Engelmann (Norma), Lisa Engelmann (Andrew), Tracey Engelmann, and Shannon Engelmann. There are numerous great-nieces and nephews, cousins and their spouses that James loved.

James' memory will be cherished by his family forever. He is remembered fondly as a serious scholar with a passion for Jesus.

His burial will be March 1, 2025, and his Celebration of Life service date is April 6, 2025, at 2:00pm at Lighthouse Fellowship Chapel, 195 Roberts Street, Harper, Texas 78631, with a reception following at the Carlos and Hallis Memorial Fellowship Hall.

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