John Wayne Uecker

September 29, 1939 – March 27, 2023

John Wayne Uecker, a Boerne native, passed away on March 27, 2023, at the age of 83, in his home. He lived most of his life in Boerne and was born on September 29, 1939. John had a vibrant personality, and his fun-loving, outgoing nature made him a favorite among his family and friends.

After graduating from Boerne High School in 1958, John helped his parents with the family flower shop. While on a delivery in Comfort, he met his wife in Krums Drug Store. He used his detective skills to find out who she was so that he could ask her out on a date. His pursuit led to him marrying Mary on June 2, 1962. They were married for just under 58 years before his wife’s passing on May 25, 2020. It was the opportunity to purchase this same flower shop that led him back to Boerne when he was transferred back to the area in 1974.

John’s work as a diesel mechanic at Holt Machinery Company in San Antonio, TX, began in May 1963 and lasted until his retirement in June 2007. He loved having his children and grandchildren visit so that he could give them a guided tour of the different pieces of equipment. Even in retirement, he attended the Holt annual picnics to see coworkers and tour the old and new equipment with his family by his side.

Some of his greatest joy came from his grandchildren. They created many memories during Camp Cousin, nightly hot tub swims, and playing in the Cibolo Creek. The grandchildren were thrilled to learn that they could swim in the creek in their clothes! His greatest dream for his family and their families was that they would have a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

John was active in Toastmasters and in his church, First Baptist Boerne, serving as a deacon for many years. He loved his time in the Jolly Joey Clown Troup, continuing to dress as a Valentine, his clown name, to bring joy to others as late as February 2023. John had an unquenchable thirst for the history of Boerne and shared this as often as he could. He loved being a part of the Boerne Area Historical and Preservation Society and Kendal County Citizens Law Enforcement Academy. He was always ready with a joke or story for everyone he met. The family loved being able to find “dad jokes” to share with him to increase his repertoire.

His legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Christ modeled for us.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise (Clubb) Uecker, his parents, Alton John Uecker and Freddie Mae Saxon Uecker, and his sister Peggy Sue Uecker.

John is survived by his sister Geraldine Lewellen Uecker. He will be missed by his children and their spouses, Wayne and Hollis Uecker, Royd and Melissa (Uecker) Graham, and Buddy and Sandra (Uecker) Kelley. He is cherished and remembered by his nine grandchildren and their spouses, Joshua and Sarah Graham, Bridgette Kelley, Colin and Miranda Uecker, Jackson and Amy Kelley, Rebekah Graham, Braden Uecker, Garrison Kelley, Kendall and Katherine (Graham) May, and Bryson Kelley. His first great-grandchild is to be born the week of his passing.

A service in memory of John Wayne Uecker will be held at the First Baptist Church Boerne, located at 631 South School Street, Boerne, TX, on Wednesday, April 5th. The viewing will commence at 10:00 am, followed by the service at 11:00 am. The internment will take place at the Boerne Cemetery, situated at 700 North School Street, Boerne, TX, immediately after the service. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of Boerne or the Boerne Fire Department.