OLIVER LEE HORNBEEK
Oliver Lee Hornbeek (aka..Pops) passed away at the Bandera Rehab and nursing home on April 23. He was a character at the home and played Santa for 4 years. I just know my mom Norma was waiting to greet him with open arms. They were married 57 years. He was 84 years old. Pops was born in Orlando Florida November 6, 1937. a long time ago. He was raised with 11 brothers and 1 sister. He is survived by his three sons, Lee Jr. and his spouse Leti, Eric and his wife Carol, and last but not least little brother Gary (aka.. stinky) and his spouse Sandy. Also his brother Lamar and sister Trudy. And a whole slew of grandkids, nephew Allen, who came down to Bandera Texas from Orlando Florida to see Pops in his final weeks and got to share Pops last meal out at Bricks Restaurant.
Dad brought us up the old school way. And that included manners, respecting elders, knowing God, and being proper at all times. And being responsible for your own actions.
Some things Pops did included being a mechanic most of his life. That man could fix some cars. he owned a bakery and restaurant on main street Bandera around 1979 called Sunnyside Bakery and a car restoration shop in Bandera and Kerrville.
He founded the Bandera County EMS Ambulance Service and was their first ambulance driver.
He was a figure here in Bandera for many years. He was well liked because he was very kind and generous. He was always smiling.
Pops coached the Athletics baseball team and was out at the old ball field almost every day.
He helped in the rescue and recovery during the flood of 1978.
He always managed to see his boys play football every Friday night no matter what!
He took the whole family across the United States to visit my moms family in Tijuana Mexico and then go to Florida and visit his vast family. Those were some interesting adventures to say the least.
He served as scoutmaster for troop 146 for years.
He also served as Bandera Counties sanitation and sewer inspector.
After he and mom retired they decided to go on an adventure of a lifetime. He joined the Lost Dutchmans Mining Association and learned how to prospect and dredge for gold. He talked his middle son, Eric into meeting him at one of the LDMA camps and the allure of gold and dads smooth talking convinced Eric to join him on this quest.
They traveled to Oregon, California, Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina to search for gold. They did this for about 7 years until moms dementia started showing up. so they returned to Bandera where it all started.
Thats where Pops took up pool playing with Eric at the chicken coop which is now Kickback Korner and the Gravity Check bar in Kerrville. Pops would go there and eat and play pool and listen to their favorite band Rebel Roxie.
Pops was a mentor, an inspiration, big hearted, sensitive, caring individual who had a heart of gold. He had such a wonderful soul.
You will be missed tremendously. Our hearts ache. we know that their is something missing in our lives that we will never get back but you left us with so many wonderful memories.
Rest easy Pops!
Pops will have a celebration of life and memorial on Sunday May 15th starting at 10 am and ending at 1 pm. It will be at the Bandera River Ranch Park. Located at 161 Broken Spur Circle. Bandera Texas 78003. Chances are we will gather at his favorite watering hole, the Kickback Korner after to remember him.