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Ronald Paul Bretz

ronald bretz
Ronald Paul Bretz, 72, of San Antonio, Texas died on January 16, 2008. He was born in Harlingen, Texas to L. Paul and Lucy Bretz on January 25, 1935 and grew up in Brownsville. A graduate of Trinity University and North Texas State University, he was a lifelong music educator in Duncanville, Texas and throughout the San Antonio area. He also lent his musical talents to many local church choirs and theatrical productions. He was an active member of All Saints Anglican Church. He is survived by his wife Gayle, his sons Theron, Laird, and Reagan, and five grandchildren, Sarah, Max, Clark, Cleo, and Gordon. He will be greatly missed by his family. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at the All Saints Anglican Church, 11122 Link Dr., San Antonio, TX 78213.

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  1. Dear Gayle….you are in our thoughts and prayers. We have so many wonderful memories of Ron. He will be missed ….he contributed so much to so many. With love, Rick and Louise

  2. My junior and senior years in Duncanville High School. 1965 and 1966, were the first years of Ron’s being a choir director. He was the most influential of my teachers and the most enjoyable. He created the Swingers, of which I was one of the originals, his first musical, “Bye Bye Birdie”, which was a huge success and a lot of fun. I had called him just a few months ago and we talked quite a bit. I am so glad I did. He was bigger than life to me and will always be remembered. Warren Bryant

  3. I remember my first year at Wiederstein 9 years ago. Mr. Bretz was the music teacher. As a new teacher to the district, he made me feel very welcome. I only got to work with him for a year, but he was missed once he retired. I ran into him at St. Thomas Episcopal Church several years ago and he made me feel very welcomed at his church. He will truly be missed.

  4. Mr. B was one of God’s gifts to all who were privileged to share a bit of his life. He brought music and laughter to his choirs at Duncanville High School, maybe some of the best was when he brought life to “Li’l Abner” in 1967. We were blessed to share some of the shining moments of his life. May your family be comforted to know he’s enjoying the angels’ music now.

  5. I have only the fondest of memories of Mr. Bretz. I played piano for rehearsals and sang in his choirs and Swingers ensemble during my high school days and got to serve as one of his teacher assistants in my senior year. He was always bigger than life, full of energy and enthusiasm. I got to perform as Marion the librarian in “The Music Man” and the mother in “Amahl and the Night Visitors” in my senior year largely to his faith in my abilities. I loved every minute of it and the memories are some of the most vivid and lasting of all of my high school experiences. God bless you all – and thank you for sharing him with so many kids!

  6. Dear Gayle, We will always cherish our fond memories of Ron when he was the choir director at Canyon Lake United Methodist Church. He was not only a wonderful choir director, but he expressed his deep faith so often and so beautifully. Our choir and our church have grown and improved because of his love and dedication. We will all miss him, but we know that he is in a better place now. May God bless you and your family, Lovingly, Jack & Helen Backlund

  7. I was a member of Mr. B’s first choirs at Duncanville High School (1964-1965). I remember the first Christmas concert we presented was Christmas carols. Mr. B informed us that the next year we would perform The Messiah – and we DID! He was one of those brilliant, gifted directors that pushed his students to heights they never dreamed they could reach. DHS’ first ever musical — Bye Bye Birdie — was of professional quality. Mr. Bretz was THE BEST!

  8. There is a new music man in heaven today! Gayle, I send my love to you and your family. I remember Ron as a loyal and considerate friend and neighbor in Duncanville. He grew stunning roses in an area adjacent to our driveway and made life beautiful in so many ways. Being neighbors ended over thirty-five years ago. Even though I did not see Ron again in all of those years, the friendship did not end. “What the heart has once known, it shall never forget.”

  9. Dear Gayle and family, I am so sorry for your loss. May God protect and comfort you at this time. Love, Alice Hamby

  10. My deepest condolences to the family of Ronnie Bretz. He and I were classmates–class of 1953-Brownsville, Texas. I knew him as Ronnie, as he used to go by Glenn Super Mkt. on West Elizabeth where I worked part-time during school days, and he would always give me the “Ronnie warm and friendly greeting”. His mom would also come into the store once in a while. I remember also Ronnie’s TV commercials years ago. May He Rest In Peace– Lino G.

  11. Aunt Gayle, “Uncle” Ron was a giant to me in so many ways. I’m so thrilled that my boys got to know him as one of their first music teachers. I know they (and many others) owe their love of music to his ability to share his passion. We’ll all miss him. We love you. Liz, Ben & Sam

  12. Sorry for you loss.I know its late but i just found out about Mr. Bretz. He was my Choir Teacher when i was in Corbett. I remember his smile and how determined he was to always teach us our music. We will miss you!!!

  13. I am so saddened by the loss of Mr. Bretz. He was my choir teacher from 8-12 grade (90-95). He helped me to find and refine my voice. He was such an inspiration musically as well as spiritually. I am sorry this is so late, I just found out now. He was my friend and trusted confidant. He always gave sound advice. I will never forget him. I know that he is singing in God’s choir with my dad now.

  14. Mr. Bretz was not only the man that got me into choir and singing, but he was the man that would put endless time and effort into his students. He inspired us to be better musicians, vocalists, and people. He always lent himself to listing to our personal problems and he was the source of wisdom for all of us when we needed him. I had the pleasure, and now a treasurable memory, of visiting him for a “back to basics” session, a few years back. He knew what I needed and I will always remember what he said. I will always remember him and I will always miss him.


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