James “Butch” Lehmann passed away unexpectedly at the age of 76. He was a veteran, a school superintendent, and a loving father, but above all, he was a dedicated husband to his wife of fifty-four years Angeles “Angie” Lehmann. She was his everything.
Butch was born in Vancouver, WA to Josefa and Arthur Lehmann, and he grew up in Eagle Pass as a fourth-generation Texan. After graduating from high school in 1963, he played baseball at Southwest Texas Junior College for two years before completing his Bachelor’s at Texas State University. After graduation, he served in the US Air Force as a sergeant, and following his honorable discharge, he returned to school and obtained a Master’s in Education Administration from the University of North Texas. Finally, he joined the Superintendency Fellowship Program (PhD) at the University of Texas at Austin.
Butch made public education and advocacy for disadvantaged children his life’s work. From serving on the National Bilingual Advisory Council and Texas Equity Center in the early 70’s, to his time as a superintendent in Eagle Pass, Houston, Seguin, and Weslaco, he accomplished much and received many accolades — Chairman of the Texas State Textbook Committee, Texas School Board of the Year, and Exemplary Leader of Texas.
During his retirement, he and Angie loved gardening and traveling, but most of all, they loved spending time with their grandchildren and attending their sporting events and music performances.
Butch was a devout Catholic, and in 2012, he and Angie realized their greatest adventure – completion of the Camino de Santiago, the 500 mile religious pilgrimage in Spain. They spent thirty-five days trudging up and down hills, dealing with crazy weather, and walking across endless plains.
Butch is survived by his wife Angie and his siblings and their spouses Arthur Lehmann (Ruthie), Sylvia Smith, Diane Treviño (Rene), and Yolanda Calley (Michael). He is also survived by his children and their spouses Jenny Hall (John), James (Lenka), and Michael (Melinda), as well as his six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Butch’s legacy is a lifetime of service to family, country, and God.
The funeral mass will be at St. Peter Prince of the Apostles Catholic Church at 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 20th with a reception to follow at San Antonio Country Club. Butch’s ashes will be interred at Fort Sam Houston in a private ceremony.
Arrangements are with: Alamo Funeral Chapels, 624 N. Alamo St., San Antonio, Texas 79216