Tex James Kauer

Tex James Kauer, 90, of Lemhi, Idaho, passed away July 22, 2025 at The Homestead Assisted Living in Rexburg, Idaho.
He was born May 8, 1935, in Burton, West of Rexburg, Madison County, Idaho; to his parents Fred James Kauer and Vera Christina Hinckley Kauer. He was the oldest child of ten children, eight boys and two girls.
As a young boy, he worked summers flood irrigating grain, and as part of the thrashing crew. He thinned sugar beets and planted and watered potatoes.
He attended schools in Madison County, culminating in a block semester at Ricks College.
Tex joined the Army National Guard of Idaho and attended meetings in Salmon. He took two months of basic training at Fort Ord, California and four months at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri in heavy vehicle maintenance.
He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Western States Mission, that included Wyoming to Kimball, Nebraska, and south to New Mexico, with headquarters in Denver, Colorado.
Tex came out to Lemhi in summer 1957 to help Uncle John/Aunt Fern Kauer who ran the ranch at Cottoms Lane. He met and dated his wife, Melva before leaving on his mission. Upon returning from his mission, he returned to working with John in summer haying. He heard by way of Lenna Whittaker (Curly's wife) and Uncle John, that Thomas Lawrence (Curly) McFarland needed help. Tex came to work for Curly in the fall of 1957, on the McFarland Livestock ranch in Lemhi.
Tex married Melva Aileen McFarland Kauer in the Idaho Falls temple on October 17, 1958. The couple made their home on the family ranch at Maiers Lane, Lemhi, Idaho. Tex continued to work with his father-in-law Thomas Lawrence (Curly) McFarland, on the ranch.
In 1960, Blair James Kauer was born. Then in 1963, Quinn Lawrence was born, sadly he died from drowning in 1965. Celestia Rose Kauer Calhoun (Bill) was born 1966 and passed away of Cancer in 2017. In 1969 Bethia Aileen Kauer was born with Down's Syndrome and passed away of Leukemia in 1974.
Tex and Melva ran bands of sheep and many head of cattle. Eventually son Blair came back to the ranch to help, and then grandsons Thayne and Trent. When Tex's wife Melva passed away, the sheep were sold. Tex was very proud to know it was 4 generations to work the land and raise cattle.
Tex was elected to the school board of South Lemhi School District #292 and served for nine years. Four of those years he also served on the Executive Board of the Idaho School Board Association. He was active in the Lemhi County Farm Bureau, serving as county president for several years.
Tex is survived by his son, Blair James Kauer (Melody) of Lemhi; 5 grandchildren, Tawna Jones (Sheldon) of Leadore; Taylor MacFarlane of Boise; Thayne Kauer (Emily) of Lemhi; Trent Kauer (Sherry) of Geraldine, Montana; Trevor Kauer of Jacksonville, Florida; and 7 great-grand children, Azelynn, Jace, Gage, Ember, Larkin, Bryndle, Ledger.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Vera Kauer, step-mother Rosa Kauer; wife, Melva Kauer; son Quinn Kauer, daughters Bethia Kauer and Celestia Calhoun.
Services will be held Monday, August 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Leadore Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Leadore, Idaho. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Jones & Casy Funeral Home.