John D. Rubrecht

John ("J.") David Rubrecht, age 91, passed away on June 11, 2024, at Faith Presbyterian Hospice in Dallas, TX.  J. was born on October 20, 1932, in Gainesville, TX, the youngest of five children to Ruby Lorraine (Cunningham) Rubrecht.

Graveside services will be held at Straley Cemetery in Adamsville, TX, on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 11:30 am.

J. grew up in Gainesville and graduated from Gainesville High in 1950.  He then attended the University of Texas in Austin, graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1955.  While attending UT, J. met the love of his life, Wanda Fay Frank, in 1953 in an elevator.  (J. was working as the elevator operator in the building that Wanda was working in.)  They were married September 10, 1955, at the Presbyterian Church in Adamsville, TX to a standing-room-only crowd, including those who had to look on through the windows from the outside.  This was the beginning of their 68-1/2 year marriage.

J. and Wanda moved to Dallas where J. began work at Hesse Envelope Company.  After 10 years, J. discovered his passion for real estate and embarked on a new career that lasted until his retirement.  For most of his working life, he was a self-employed real estate broker and developer.  J. was especially proud of the Sherwood housing development on Cedar Creek Lake and The Greene in Duncanville.  J. and Wanda moved to Duncanville, TX in 1969.  This is where they raised their children and became an integral part of the community and the First Presbyterian Church.  In 1997 J. and Wanda dropped everything and moved to Plano, TX to help care for their first grandson (and then a second soon after).  During his retirement years, J. volunteered with Bill Glass Prison Ministries, participated in the Dallas Lepidopterists' Society and Plano Sail (Senior Active in Learning where he made nature presentations), and led many a nature hike for his grandsons' Cub Scout dens.  J. and Wanda attended First Grace Presbyterian Church and most recently Trinity Presbyterian Church, where J. actively participated in his beloved men's breakfast/fellowship group.

J. was an avid fisherman, hunter, storyteller, self-taught naturalist, wildflower photographer, butterfly enthusiast, TX-native-plant gardener, short-story author of tales of his adventurous youth, and creator of elaborate V-day cards that he sent to spread joy and love in his own special way.  But far more importantly, J. was a loving and devout servant of God, son, brother, husband, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, father, grandfather, and steadfast friend to many.  J. had an especially special way with children.  With a child (even a teen!), he would transform an everyday mundane task into a creative and goofy fun activity.  He was considered a second father to Clare's closest girlfriends and an adopted grandfather to Luke Davis.  As anyone who knew him well can attest, J. was a shining star example of a kind, loving, principled, and humble Christian man.

J. is preceded in death by so many dear to him including his son, Kyle Frank Rubrecht; grand-niece, Megan Lorraine Beard; mother, Ruby; parents-in-law, Edgar and Tillie (Boysen) Frank; brother and sisters, Geneva (McLaughlin) Rhoads, James McLaughlin, and Betty Singletary; cherished sister and brother-in-law, Rosa (Rubrecht) and Raymond Mitchell; brother-in-law, Edward Frank; half-brothers and sisters, Paul Rubrecht, Ester (Rubrecht) Byler, and Dawn (Rubrecht) Beemer; best friend, Jerry "Buggs" Perry and dear friends, Gail and Doris O'Keefe.

J. is survived by his wife, Wanda of Plano, TX; daughter, Clare Rubrecht-Robertson and partner James Nelson of Plano, TX; grandsons, David Rubrecht and wife Anne-Charlotte of Lexington, KY, and Dylan Robertson of Garland, TX; nieces and nephews, Connie Boyles of Arvada, CO, Cathy and Steve Beard of Dripping Springs, TX, Norma Stephens of Cleburne, TX, Pat Whitehorn of Portland, OR, and Teresa Frank of Colorado Springs, CO and half-siblings, Frances DeHart and August Rubrecht.

Flowers for the service may be sent to Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel Lampasas or, in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Presbyterian Children's Homes & Services in Itasca or Waxahachie, TX.

In the words of J. Rubrecht "It's a wonderful thing". To all those who read this, please make all things in your life and others "it".

For those attending the graveside service:  Dress casually and for hot weather.  There is no restroom at the cemetery or in Adamsville, so please plan to make last-minute stops at nearby towns on your way in.  Suggest to bring lawn chairs, umbrellas (for rain or sun), and bug spray.  Note: the cemetery is not paved.