Walter “Wally” Kaspar

Walter “Wally” Kaspar, 92, of Fannett, died Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Beaumont Health Care Center. He was born on September 23, 1931, to Alma Iselt Kaspar and Edmond Kaspar, in Thorndale, and was a United States Army veteran. Wally retired as a dragline and heavy equipment operator for Jefferson Shell and Phalen Tank Company.

One of nine children, Wally grew up helping on the family farm picking cotton and doing many other chores. Falling on hard times the family moved to Beaumont. To help his family make ends meet he had to leave school and go to work. He moved in on the Heiner farm out on LaBelle Road where he worked as a ranch hand for many years and became part of their family.

After hearing his voice one time, she fell in love and the rest is history. He married Johnnie Lee Bobino on November 17, 1951, and they just celebrated their 72^nd Anniversary. A devoted husband, brother, father, uncle and grandfather, he gave his all to support and love his family. Most of all, Wally love his Lord and Savior with all his heart and raised his family in that love. A treasured member of Hope Lutheran Church in Winnie, Texas, for 50 years and prior to that at St. John Lutheran Church in Beaumont where he was confirmed.

Wally worked as a dragline operator for Jefferson Shell Company unloading barges of shell and loading dump trucks. His boss said “he could pick up a dime with a drag bucket”. He became part owner in the company then became a heavy equipment operator after the shell business closed.

Survivors include his wife, Johnnie Lee Kaspar; son, Les Kaspar and daughter, Belinda Lee Kaspar Matak and her husband, Ricky, all of Fannett; brothers, Weldon Kaspar and Don Kaspar; grandchildren, Misty Sonnier and her husband, Jerry; Shelly Longoria and her husband, David; and James Richard Matak and his wife, Whitney, all of Fannett; Aaron Kaspar and his wife, Kristin, of Lake Jackson; Zachary Kaspar and his wife, Tiffiany, of Vidor; Jake Kaspar and his wife, Kelli, of Fannett; and Kara Kaspar and her fiancé, Sam Watson, of Nederland; and fourteen great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Walter Pete Logan Matak; great-granddaughter, Raleigh Kaspar; sisters, Pearlie Kaspar, Hattie Fleischer, and Lillian Fawcett; and brothers, Ervin Kaspar, Clarence “Butch” Kaspar, and Alfred “Al” Kaspar.

A gathering of Mr. Kaspar’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 4, 2023, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 701, Winnie, Texas 77665 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.