Stories of loss: victims of the rising waters
LARRY THOMAS
Larry Thomas was washed away by the Blanco River on Saturday night, as he and his wife struggled to hold onto the gutters and satellite dish of their inundated home.
The 74-year-old Thomas, who had been debilitated by strokes and a heart attack, died after he was swept off the roof. Carol Thomas, his wife of 50 years, survived.
His body was found Sunday in San Marcos; he was the first fatality discovered in the area as a result of the historic flooding that took place over Memorial Day weekend.
After rising through the ranks of the real estate world, Thomas retired in 1996 and moved from Dallas to Wimberley.
“That’s where they planned on staying forever. They always liked the Hill Country,” said daughter Tracy Hayworth, 54.
A GoFundMe.com page for Carol Thomas, who is a school teacher at the Pathways School in Dripping Springs, had raised more than $56,000 as of Thursday.
“Carol has no life or rental insurance and needs our support. For all she gives our children, let’s spread our love to her,” the page reads.
JOSE ALVARO ARTEAGA-PICHARDO
Jose Alvaro Arteaga-Pichardo wasn’t supposed to be working so late that Saturday.
Arteaga-Pichardo was told by his boss that he could go home at 4:30 p.m., that the job could be wrapped up another day. But he wanted to finish and stuck around for a few more hours.
After he left in his truck, the 29-year-old wasn’t seen alive again.
After days of searching, Arteaga-Pichardo’s body was found Tuesday in Hays County.
He came to the United States from Mexico to make money for his family, including his 18-month-old son.
He lived in Blanco with his brother, sister-in-law and their three children, and worked for a Wimberley-based flooring and tiling company run by Neil Foreman.
“He was a workaholic,” Foreman said. “I lucked out by getting Jose. He’s an excellent guy.”
MICHELLE MARIE CAREY-CHARBA
A middle school teacher from Corpus Christi, Michelle Marie Carey-Charba was known by her friends as someone who would go the extra mile.
“You could count on her for anything,” said childhood friend Debbie Forenthold. “She was more than a teacher. When my kids were struggling, if they were struggling with those middle school relationships, she was always there to talk to them.”
Charba’s body was found in Caldwell County on Wednesday, after the house her family was staying in by the Blanco River was carried away by the strong current.
Out of the nine people staying in the vacation house, only two — Charba and Jonathan McComb, who was found alive after being carried for miles by the surging waters — have been found.
JERRY BOOTH
Unlike the other victims of the flooding this past weekend, Jerry Booth had been missing since May 21.
The Temple native’s body and white pickup were found in Williamson County by a low-water crossing, according to a press release from the Williamson County Sheriff ’s Office.
His body was found more than a mile downstream from his truck.
Booth was reported missing to the Temple police by a family member on May 21. He had set out for Georgetown early that morning, but never reached his destination, Temple police say.
Juan Rodriguez, a neighbor of Booth’s, said the 55-yearold was a kind, quiet man.
“I can’t believe what happened to him,” Rodriguez said.
Booth’s family could not be reached for comment.
JONATHAN WALKER
Jonathan Walker was found in Northeast Travis County Tuesday after he tried to get his truck through a low water crossing.
Walker was a 23-year-old from Houston, according to Travis County deputies. He was found inside his truck after the flood waters had receded on the 7100 block of Jesse Bohls Drive.
According to a sheriff ’s press release, two other people were riding with Walker and got out of the truck before it was too late.
The two said they did not see Walker get out of the truck before it was out of their sight.
ZACHERY JONES
Blanco County Judge Brett Bray said Blanco resident Zachery Jones, 43, a local resident, died Memorial Day weekend.
Jones’ vehicle was overtaken by flood water, Bray said.