John Redden

Kerrville Described as a Renaissance man by a learned friend, John Redden indeed, was an artist, philosopher, healer, musician and much more.

John was born June 25, 1933 in Ft. Worth, to Edward Norman and Dorothy Oels Redden. His family moved to Comfort where John finished high school. He took his premed at Texas Tech, Lubbock and earned his doctorate at Texas AMs School of Veterinary Medicine in 1957. John practiced in San Antonio, and then had a mostly largeanimal practice in Ozona. He opened a animal practice in Kerrville in 1962. After 20 years in veterinary medicine, he retired to pursue other interests.

He married his soulmate, the former Jo Ann Lochte, in 1966 in New York City. Together they built a handhewn rock house, passive solar with a water catchment system that served them well the 24 years they lived and ranched outside Kerrville.

John was a champion bowler and had many trophies from high scores. He and Jo Ann floated rivers in a rubber raft throughout Texas and Idaho. Fishing was high on his list of enjoyments, both coastal and fresh water.

John and Jo Ann became interested in the art left by early inhabitants along the Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers and thus began a long involvement in rock art. They traveled to search out sites throughout the Southwest. Afterwards, John painted these images on rocks from the same location as the art.

Photography was a hobby of Johns and flower magnifications were a specialty. He painted these magnifications, as well and landscapes, on canvas. He provided the photographs used in Ed Syers Texas the Beginnings, and later he and Jo Ann traveled extensively to photograph scenes for Syers book on Texas ghost towns, which was never published.

John died Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, at his home. He asked to be cremated and his ashes scattered on the ranch. There will be no funeral services.

He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann sister and brotherinlaw, Sue and Egon Wiedenfeld of Comfort sisterinlaw, Carolyn Stewart of Houston and adopted daughter, Silvia Yero of Comfort, and numerous nieces and nephews.

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