Published: August 20, 2008 12:08 pm            

Jake Grovan Obenhaus

Jake Obenhaus, a resident of Glidden and Columbus and a former resident of San Marcos, died Aug. 14, 2008 in Columbus.

He was born in Glidden on July 11, 1914 to Percy William and Sophie Dora Scheller Obenhaus, one of six children.

He attended public schools in Glidden and Columbus, graduating from Columbus High School in 1931. He attended Texas Lutheran College in Seguin and Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos.

Before and during World War II, he worked as an airplane mechanic for the United States Air Force, first in San Antonio and later in Tucson, Ariz..

On June 3, 1944, in Tucson, he married Adah May Allin. In 1945, their first child, Jackie, was born. A few years later, the young family moved to Texas, where Jake completed his bachelor’s degree and teacher certification at Southwest Texas.

In 1950, Debbie was born. In 1952 the family of four moved to Tucson, where Jake again supervised airplane mechanics. In 1958, Jake’s desire to be a teacher led the family back to San Marcos, where he completed his master’s degree in education. He was employed by the San Marcos School District for the rest of his career – first as a part-time principal and third-grade teacher at Bonham Elementary, and then for many years as the principal of Travis Elementary School.

In 1963, Greg was born. In May of 1970, Jake was the principal at Travis Elementary when San Marcos experienced a major flood; he and a handful of teachers and students were surrounded by flood waters. Jake guided them to the stage of the cafetorium and was prepared to move to the roof if necessary; however, they were safely removed by the National Guard to higher ground before that became necessary.

He remained as principal at Travis several more years, then taught math at Lamar sixth grade campus. His enjoyment of retirement was cut short with the unexpected death of Adah May in 1983. Within a few years, he had moved to Glidden to help with the care of an older sister and his mother, who lived to the age of 102.

Jake Obenhaus was a man who believed in honesty and exemplified integrity. He was a loving and faithful husband and father, and a wonderful example to his three children. He loved working with school children and teachers, earning their love and respect. His grandchildren have wonderful memories of a playful and always loving grandfather.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Adah May; his sister Gladys and her husband Tom Perry; sister Waldine; brother Willis and his wife Ronnie Obenhaus; and brothers-in-law James K. Wallace and John McDaniels. He is survived by children Jacquelyn and her husband Terry Fischer of New Braunfels, Debbie and her husband Ted Thomas of Kingwood, and Greg Obenhaus and fiancee Amy Fey of Leander; grandchildren Wendy Fischer, Jeannette Thomas, Curtis Thomas, Amber Obenhaus and Jacob Obenhaus; great-granddaughter Sophie Whitehead-Thomas; sisters Lois Wallace (101) and Juanita McDaniels; longtime special friend Jewel McNabb and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Glidden Baptist Church in Glidden, with Brother Gerald Hendon officiating. There will be a gathering time for family and friends afterward at the church fellowship hall. The cremated remains will be interred in the presence of immediate family and close friends later that day at the San Marcos Cemetery in San Marcos.

For those desiring, the family asks that a donation be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements handled by Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus and Pennington Funeral Home in San Marcos.

        

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