John David Bamberger, a true force of nature, passed away on January 17, 2026, at the age of 97 in his Johnson City, Texas ranch house. In a state known for legendary characters, J. David (as he was known) stood apart—brimming with optimism, ideas, and boundless goodwill. His infectious energy, kindness, humor, and love of both people and nature drew in individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
He was born June 11, 1928 in Massillon, Ohio to Hester (nee Keggereis) and Titus Anthony Bamberger. He graduated from Navarre (Ohio) High School, and Kent State University, Canton, Ohio.
His humble beginnings, in a house without running water or electricity, grounded him for life. Inspired by his mother, Hester, and a book she gave him (Pleasant Valley, by Louis Bromfield), J. David pursued a dream to restore land, just as Bromfield had done. That dream would ultimately define his legacy.
In 1950, J. David moved his young family to Texas beginning his remarkable American rags-to-riches story, rising from vacuum cleaner salesman to co-founder of Church’s Fried Chicken and a later move into real estate development. He was a problem-solver and very conservative with resources. He didn’t like waste, be it money, time, talent or materials and believed that hard work mattered more than money, often saying, “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
In 1969, he made a bold leap, buying 3,000 acres of, as he was fond of saying, “the worst land in Blanco County”, Texas to pursue his dream of restoring a neglected, misused ranch. Through the years, he bought adjoining ranch lands until Selah Bamberger Ranch totaled 5,500 acres. He also had a hand in establishing Bamberger Nature Park in San Antonio, Guadalupe River State Park, and Bracken Cave Preserve.
A gifted storyteller with a playful sense of humor, J. David loved sharing stories—and even songs he made up—about people, the ranch, and the many lessons he had learned. Thousands visited Selah over the years for landowner workshops, educational programs, research projects, and public tours. His advice to all was, “It doesn’t take a lot of cash to be a good land steward, but it does take hard work and dedication.”
J. David literally “walked the talk.” He cleared cedar, sowed seeds, planted over 400 trees, and laid out trails to showcase the different terrain, geology, and flora of the Texas Hill Country. He joined forces with the World Wildlife Fund to save the Scimitar Horned Oryx from extinction, dedicating 600 acres of Selah to breeding and raising the species. At one time, Selah had the largest herd of Scimitar Horned Oryx in the world.
Always a realist, he knew that his 5,500 acres, and the Texas Hill Country, was threatened by the growth of San Antonio and Austin. In 2002 he made another bold leap and turned the ranch into the non-profit Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, creating an operating foundation to protect the ranch in perpetuity and continue his mission of teaching children and land owners good conservation practices. The award signs from national organizations lining the drive into the ranch are an honor role of recognition for the decades of work by J. David and his small, dedicated ranch staff. But his greatest pride was inspiring others to carry the conservation story forward on private lands across Texas.
J. David Bamberger is survived by his wife, Joanna Rees Bamberger; three children: David and wife, Sandy; Doug; his daughter, Deena Sessums, and husband, Ernie; 6 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by wives, Donna Beem Bamberger and Margaret Campbell Bamberger; brothers, Louis James Bamberger and Thomas Anthony Bamberger; and grandson, Jarrell Christopher Bamberger.
A celebration of life will be held in lieu of any services or visitations. The celebration of life will be at Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, Saturday, March 14, 2026, starting at 2 p.m. for family, friends, and all those inspired by J. David’s works and deeds.
Until then, his many friends and admirers can enjoy The Texas Country Reporter video of J. David on YouTube that was filmed 15 years ago.
Memorials can be made to www.bambergerranch.org
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