James Larkin "Jim" Renick Jr.

FREDERICKSBURG James "Jim" Larkin Renick Jr. passed away on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, in Hill Country Memorial Hospital in Fredericksburg, Texas, at the age of 76 following a valiant battle against squamous cell skin cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family, loyal friends and compassionate caregivers. Jim was born on Sept. 30, 1934, in Bastrop, Texas, to Marie Antoinette Renick and James Larkin Renick. He spent his childhood roaming the hills, creeks and rivers of Llano County with an adventurous gang of boys armed with slingshots, pellet guns and fishing poles. He was devoted to raising and caring for his award-winning Hereford show calves and spent many joyous summers at Camp Longhorn before graduating from Llano High School. He departed for Texas A&M University as an enthusiastic 17-year old freshman in 1952. He was a proud member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets, a decorated honor student and officer of Alpha Zeta Honor Society, member of the International Livestock Judging Team, a Danforth Summer Fellow, a Ralston-Purina Senior Scholar, a Hart Hall Athletic Officer, officer of Saddle and Sirloin Club and a member of the Aggie swim and water polo teams. He graduated in 1957, with a B.S. in animal husbandry. He remained devoted to his Aggies throughout his life and loved ones knew to remain quiet and scarce on sacred game days. He even wore an Aggie cap to the hospital where he spent his last days. He married longtime sweetheart Patricia Whigham on Dec. 23, 1957, and they moved to El Paso where he was an instructor in the guided missile program at Fort Bliss. He was later honorably discharged and returned to Llano where he presided over the family's ranching operations. He was a brilliant rancher and businessman, a community leader, a masterful hunter and marksman, a scratch golfer and loved to fish, jog, play poker, read and watch college football. Jim and Patty proudly raised two daughters, Deborah and Carol, and Jim was an extraordinary "Da" to grandchildren Wes, Alex, Justin and Larkin. Upon retirement in 2004, they moved to Fredericksburg. Texas. The last seven years in Fredericksburg were some of Jim's favorite. His door was always open to family and friends and his love for others was apparent by the scores who joined him for happy hours, family dinners, and holiday parties. Jim shared stories, gave excellent advice and led by example. He was a true Texas patriarch. He will be missed by so many, but his legacy will remain forever. He was happy with his life and told us many times over that he had no regrets. On his last night he told us "all the pieces are falling into place"; therefore, he was ready to move on to the next world. We believe he resides in a rain forest of green grass and fat cattle, where it rains every evening, the Aggies always win and there is no pain or worry. His was a life well-lived and he would want all to move forward, for "it's not dying I'm talking about, it's living". He is survived by his wife, Patty; daughters Deborah Renick and Carol Penn and husband Jim Penn; and four grandchildren, Barrett Wesley Compton, Alexandra Marie Compton, Justin Renick Penn and Larkin Anne Penn. Memorial contributions may be made to Hill Country Memorial Hospital; or Hill Country Memorial Hospice.