Trey Courtemanche

Joseph A. "Trey" Courtemanche, III, passed away on Saturday morning, April 18, 2015, at the age of 50 after a valiant 2-year battle with cancer. Trey was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Joseph and Carol Cook Courtemanche on December 23, 1964. After his mother passed away in November 1976, Trey and his sister moved to the Smithville area.
In his childhood, Trey joined the Boy Scouts of America; "Pack & Paddle" was a highlight of his longtime membership in this organization. Trey played football throughout his junior high and high school years. He belonged to the Future Farmers of America, showing heifers in the Smithville Livestock Show, as well as in the Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Fort Worth Livestock Shows. After graduating from Smithville High School in 1983, Trey attended Blinn Junior College in Brenham and then Southwest Texas University (now Texas State University) in San Marcos, graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Finance.
While attending Smithville schools, Trey met Kathie Gail Karisch and the two soon became sweethearts. After a long courtship, they were married on June 10, 1989, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Smithville. The young couple resided in San Marcos for a short time while each completed their college educations and then moved home to Smithville in 1991. Trey worked on the family ranch in Pin Oak, Texas, with his grandparents, Walter & Betty Cook. In April 1997, Trey and Kathie Gail were blessed with the birth of their first child, Cade. Soon after, Trey began his employment with Union Pacific Railroad in Smithville in 1998, becoming a locomotive engineer. He worked with many friends and family, including his father-in-law, Ernest Karisch, and brothers-in-law, Ernest Karisch, Jr. and Steve Dawson. In January 2000, a baby daughter, Claire, would complete their family.
Trey was passionate about being in the country and he, along with his family, spent innumerable hours at the family ranch with Trey's elderly grandparents who both passed away in 2009. In 2013, Trey and his family were able to move to the beloved family ranch in Pin Oak, Texas.
Trey was an avid outdoorsman, having a particular fondness for fishing and hunting; his many elk hunts in Colorado and fishing trips to the coast with family and friends were some of Trey's greatest pleasures. Trey had a special fondness for his horses and mules and looked forward to riding them in many hometown parades and trail-rides. Cherished time was spent with family and friends gathered around a campfire while singing many of his favorite country songs. Trey held dear the many sporting events and youth rodeos he attended, cheering on not only his own children, but also his nephews, niece, and the friends of his children. Trey will be remembered fondly for his many wonderful qualities and attributes, but none more than his sharp wit, affectionate humor, and loving devotion to his family.
Trey was a Lifetime member of the National Rifle Association; president and founder of the local chapter of the Trophy Buck and Fine Arts Society of Bastrop County; member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 4868, and a parishioner at St. Paul Catholic Church, Smithville, for the past 25 years.
Trey is survived by his wife, Katherine Gail Karisch Courtemanche; son, Joseph Cade Courtemanche, and daughter, Claire Anne Courtemanche, all of Pin Oak, Texas; father, Joseph A. Courtemanche, Jr. and stepmother, Billie, of Cistern; sister, Kathy Reader and husband, Chris, of Houston, and nephews, Christopher and Jamey Reader; uncle and aunt, Dale and Marilyn Cook Hamilton of Austin, and cousins, Brittany and Bart Hamilton; parents-in-law, Ernest and Katherine Pesl Karisch of Smithville; sister-in-law, Cecilia Karisch Quick, of Austin, and niece, Samantha Quick; brother-in-law, Ernest Karisch, Jr. and wife, Brenda Frerich, and nephew, Ethan Karisch; and sister-in-law, Kimberly Dawson, and husband, Steve, and nephews, Dalton and Jake Dawson, all of rural Smithville.
Trey is predeceased by his mother, Carol Ann Cook Courtemanche; his maternal grandparents, Walter and Betty Story Cook; and his paternal grandparents, Joseph A., Sr. and Audrey Courtemanche.
Visitation will be at All Faiths of the Pines Funeral Home, Smithville, on Tuesday, April 21, 2015, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. by Deacon Bernard Meuth and the Knights of Columbus. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Pius T. Mathew at St. Paul Catholic Church, Smithville, on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Smithville. Pallbearers will be Trey's nephews, Dalton & Jake Dawson, Ethan Karisch, and Christopher & Jamie Reader, and cousin, Bart Hamilton. Honorary pallbearers will be good friends, Roy Adams, John Longhofer, and Kenneth Tull, and the 2014 Smithville High School Varsity Football Team.