Ralph Joseph Bernsen Sr. of Hondo, age 79, passed away Saturday, July 5, 2014. Born in Nueces County, Sept. 3, 1934, he was the son of Joe Henry and Christine M. (Hoelscher) Bernsen. Ralph grew up on a cotton farm in Robstown, Texas, picking cotton alongside his father and brother, Bernard. At age 16, he entered college at St. Mary's in San Antonio and graduated with a law degree by the age of 23. Shortly after, he married, joined the U.S. Army and began building his family. He raised his six kids in La Marque and Hondo as he practiced law as a public servant in the DA office in Galveston County and as County Attorney in Medina County, in addition to many years of private practice. He also served many years in the National Guard as a helicopter pilot. He was a great family man, father, provider, horseman, attorney, musician, great cook, friend to many and devoted to his faith. We all enjoyed his sense of humor even when he told the same jokes over and over. He was an inspiration to many and admired by all who knew him. He will be missed by his family, friends and colleagues. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donna Mae Bernsen; son, Terry Louis Bernsen; and brothers, Henry Louis and Bernard Allen. Survivors include his son, Ralph Joseph "Joey" Bernsen Jr. of Boston MA; daughter, Judith Kay "Judy" Bernsen of Sydney, Aus.; son, Timothy Stephen Bernsen Sr. and wife Lisa of Devine; son, James John "Jake" Bernsen of Hondo; son, William Patrick "Billy" Bernsen and wife Brianne of La Grange; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and step-children, Deborah Lynn Deckard Smith, Judith Kay Deckard Boisseau, Peggy Denise Deckard Allen and George Lewis "Skipper" Deckard Jr. Visitation will be Thursday, July 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Guinn-Horger Chapel. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 11, at New Fountain United Methodist Church, followed by interment at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:15 p.m. The family suggests memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, South Texas Region, 8115 Datapoint Dr., San Antonio TX 78229.
