Clara Lucille Stein Ricks

Clara Lucille Stein Ricks passed away peacefully on June 8, 2025, at the age of 79. Born on July 19, 1945, in San Antonio, she was the beloved daughter of Clarence A. and Wanda M. Spurgeon Stein of LaCoste.
On June 7, 1969, she married Kenneth Ricks of Brackettville at Zion Lutheran Church in Castroville, beginning a journey together that spanned fifty-six years. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, Cody Wayne Ricks (September 19, 1975 – February 9, 2004) and Jeffery Shane Ricks (December 2, 1981 – January 15, 2000), both of whom preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and sons, Clara was also preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Ronnie Ricks.
She is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth Ricks of LaCoste; her brother, C.A. Stein and his wife Kathy, also of LaCoste; her niece, Georgia Franklin (John) of Midland; nephews, Bill Stein (Jessica) of Roscoe and Randy Stein (Misty) of LaCoste, along with their children; brother-in-law, Gerald Ricks (Holly); and her sister-in-law, Pam Ricks.
From an early age, Clara was actively involved in the LaCoste 4-H Club, where she showcased her talents by competing in county stock shows, cooking, and sewing. She won Grand Champion in 1958 with a Southdown Sheep and went on to represent Medina County 4-H as a Gold Star Award recipient in 1963.
Her love for music was evident throughout her life. She began playing the flute in 1958 for the LaCoste Eagles School Band and later continued with the Medina Valley Band. She also found joy in singing, a passion she nurtured as a member of the Zion Lutheran Church Choir from junior high until recent years.
Clara pursued higher education at Southwest Texas State University, graduating in the spring of 1968. That fall, she embarked on her teaching career at Brackettville High School, where she taught home economics for eight years. In 1976, she and Kenneth moved to the family farm in LaCoste, and Clara began teaching at Devine ISD Middle School until her retirement in May 2004, concluding a remarkable thirty-six-year career.
Following the loss of their sons, Clara and Kenneth established the Jeff and Cody Ricks Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2000. Through this fund, they provided over forty-five scholarships to students pursuing agriculture or technical education at Medina Valley ISD, positively impacting countless lives over twenty-five years.
Dedicated to her community, Clara mentored many children in the LaCoste 4-H Club and served as treasurer of the LaCoste Garden Club for numerous years. She and Kenneth also shared a love for restoring and showcasing antique tractors, restoring a 1941 Farmall A and 1940 Allis Chalmers B. Their collection was featured at parades and antique tractor shows across Texas and beyond, earning them many ribbons, plaques, and trophies.
Clara's life was defined by her love for family, dedication to education, and passion for her community. She leaves behind an enduring legacy of kindness, mentorship, and generosity.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. A funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Castroville, followed by interment at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Castroville, Texas.
Memorial donations may be made in Clara's memory to the La Coste Garden Club, c/o Colleen Wilton, 109786 Castro Ave., La Coste, TX 78039 for the Water Tower Restoration Fund.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home – www.tondre-guinn.com.
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