Stuart Samuel Klein

1932 - 2021

McAllen - Stuart Samuel Klein was our beloved Painter of the Old West, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, great uncle, and friend. He died peacefully on Sunday, May 2, 2021, at the age of 88.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 25, 1932 to Esther Sutcher and Benjamin Klein. Six months later they moved to San Benito, Texas for the produce business, a tradition he continued through his backyard orchards and gardens. He grew up boxing, playing cornet, fishing, and camping on South Padre Island. In 1950 he graduated from McAllen High School and attended the University of Texas, where he drew cartoons for the school newspaper. He was drafted into the Army, where he trained at Las Cruces, New Mexico and Sandy Hook, New Jersey; played craps; and fished bluegill. He regarded his time in training as a vacation paid by Uncle Sam. On July 27, 1953, the week he was to be shipped to Korea, an armistice was signed. He often said, "They knew I was coming."

He returned to The Valley after an honorable discharge to finish his college at Pan American University. He further pursued art and spent time drawing caricatures for extra money in Reynosa, Mexico. In 1955 he drove his Chevy to San Francisco, California, where he learned the gallery business at a studio and displayed his own art. He returned to McAllen, to start his own studio and frame shop. A few years later he met the love of his life, Sylvia Gayle Sachs, on a blind date set up by her sister Sara Ellen. Sylvia was apprehensive at first, but Sara said, "It's just a dinner date, you're not going to marry him." One year later they married on July 4, 1965 in Alamo, Texas. They faithfully loved each other for fifty-five years. Their three beautiful daughters soon followed: Alysa, Denise, and Marina.

He was captivated by images of the Wild West and collected histories of renegades, outlaws, and gangsters. His expertise on Jewish History was well-regarded; he gave lectures at the Museum of South Texas History on the subject of Mexican conversos and was invited to speak at the University of Texas - Pan American. He enjoyed sharing jovial and whimsical bits of local and Texan history with a wide audience. The McAllen Public Library, formerly stationed next door to his gallery sustained his voracious reading habit and, before it was relocated out of the arts district, he actively participated in the "Save the Library" campaign. His store was a hotspot during McAllen's Art Walk. He was also active in McAllen Jaycees, the B'nai Brith Lodge, and the Temple Emanuel Board of Directors, of which he and his parents were charter members. He shared his passion for art, music, and gardening with his children and grandchildren. In business, he believed that if you were going to do something you should always do it the right way. His daily routine was highlighted by having coffee with his local constituents.

He is survived by his wife Sylvia Gayle Klein; children, Alysa and Duane Graves, Denise Klein and Joseph Sanchez and Marina and Jim McDonald; and grandchildren, Benton, Esther and Ava Graves; Hanna and Sophie Liebermann; Ian, Eli and Asher McDonald.

To honor Stuart Klein's memory, a Military service and burial were held on May 4 at Temple Emanuel Cemetery. Donations may be made to Temple Emanuel General Fund or the Temple Emanuel Memorial Fund.