Obituaries

James Domenic Beckner passed away peacefully on May 18th at home surrounded by his family after a year long battle with an aggressive cancer. Jimi was born on March 6, 1967 in Lehigh, Pennsylvania to James and Lucy Beckner. As a child he moved with his family to Port Aransas, Texas. After getting a taste of the Island Life, he decided to make Texas his home. He worked for MD Anderson in Houston for almost 20 years and the rest of his career running crews in the refineries. He spent his days off fishing with his brother Pete, riding motorcycles with his brother Norman and being a foodie with his sister Cindi. Jimi had been involved in AA and NA for decades and was always trying to help fellow addicts and alcoholics in recovery. He was known for his unusual humor, his free spirit and his willingness to help those in need. He kept that light all the way to the end.

Marian D. Kumm, 91, of Aransas Pass, TX, passed away on May 19, 2021, peacefully, after a struggle with heart disease. Marian was the daughter of E. A. Davis and mother Lucille (Sweeny), and was raised on their ranch between Bowling Green and Mexico, MO, with her older siblings, Dwight M. Davis (decd., Kansas City, MO) and Marjorie (Tennyson, Minneapolis, MN). From an early age she was self-taught on the piano and could be heard to play in the mornings to wake us up blissfully. She was a 1947 graduate of Middletown High School and went on to Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman College) in Kirksville, MO, where she met her future husband, Dr. Glenn Kumm (decd.), who was attending Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. She taught elementary education in Excelsior Springs, MO until marriage and children: Patricia (Branch, decd.), Cheri (decd.) and Denny. In 1959, the family moved to Aransas Pass where she resides. Patricia was a beloved local Elementary School Teacher/School Board Member; Cheri, a Pharmacist; and Denny, a professional Civil Engineer at Page/-Design, Architecture, Engineering. Marian is survived by her son, two great grandchildren: Jennifer Schelepet (Branch, husband John: Seattle, WA) and Richard Branch (wife Christina; McKinney, TX); and Jennifer’s children: Zoe and Xavier; and Richard’s children: Madison, Jacob and Graceyn. Marian valued all family members and extended family without limit and spent time busy with family, art, books and piano. She raised us well and will be missed by all. In lieu of flowers please, consider donating in local support for construction of a new community hospital in the Aransas Pass area, in the name of Marian Kumm, to the Coastal Bend Foundation, 140 W. Cleveland Blvd., Aransas Pass, TX 78336, Phone: (361) 758-7568. Services entrusted to All Faith Cremation and Funeral Service in Ingleside, TX.

Aransas Pass—Roger Hill, 99, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, met his heavenly Savior on May 25, 2021. He was born in Paris, Texas on October 14, 1921. Roger attended several colleges, including the Dallas Theological Baptist Seminary and later graduated from Baylor University. He served in the Navy in World War II during Pearl Harbor, and worked in Intelligence as a stenographer in Washington D.C. He later worked for Dow Chemical Plant in Freeport, Texas for several years before deciding to pursue an education career. He taught high school business and elementary school, before becoming the Kieberger Elementary School Physical Education teacher for over 33 years. As a teacher, he actively participated and was a great example to many students who loved him. He was also a very successful and popular high school tennis coach; The Aransas Pass High School tennis courts are named in his honor. He was a great man, who truly loved his students and family, and gave them his best. He attended the Central Baptist Church in Ingleside and was a strong Christian. He enjoyed fishing, sports, the Dallas Cowboys, and gardening.