Julia Stalder

Kerrville Mrs. Julia Thompson Stalder, 89, of Kerrville, passed away on Friday, November 27, 2009 at a local health care facility.

She was born on November 22, 1920 in Sherman, TX to Henry Grady Thompson and Winifred Harrison Thompson.

Mrs. Stalder was formerly married to Henry Huffaker Gates of Sherman, TX. In the fall of 1949, she and her two children moved to Kerrville. In 1963, she married Col. Marvin F. Stalder. He preceded her in death in 1982. They owned and operated the Main Book Shop until 1979, when her son, Robert H. Gates, purchased the shop. Mrs. Stalder continued to work in the shop on a part time basis until it was sold in 1995.

Mrs. Stalder was active in numerous organizations. She was a charter member of the Kerrville Concert Association, now known as KPAS. She served on the board of the National Bank of Commerce until it sold, and served ten years on the board of Sid Peterson Memorial Hospital. She was an active member of Saint Peters Episcopal Church, serving a term on the church Vestry, and she was a member of the Saint Peters Cottage Shop.

Those left to honor and cherish her memory are her two children, daughter, Betty Gates of Portland, ME and son Robert H. Gates of Fredericksburg, TX a sister, Helen Buckner of Kerrville three grandchildren, Vanessa GatesElston and Amanda GatesElston, both of New York City, and Kevin Cardner of Aspen, CO and a host of friends.

A memorial service will be held at Saint Peters Episcopal Church, Kerrville, on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 10:00AM with Rev. Stockton Williams and Rev. Tom Murray officiating. A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

The family suggests that donations may be made to Saint Peters Episcopal Church, Kerrville, or to Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church Chapel Restoration Fund or the charity of ones choice.

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