JAMES METZGER

08/26/1936 - 02/03/2024

James H. “Jim” Metzger died February 3, 2024, at his home in Houston at the age of 87. His life was filled with faith, family, good friends, humor, hard work and a passion for the construction industry.

Jim was born on the Metzger family farm just outside Fredericksburg on August 26, 1936. He was proud of his German-Texas heritage, with family roots in Fredericksburg dating back to 1847. He attended St. Mary’s School where he was a student leader in high school and an accomplished athlete. He played six-man football and was a pitcher for his baseball team. One of his proudest accomplishments was pitching a no-hitter his junior year.

After graduating from St. Mary’s in 1955, Jim attended college. Over several summers he also worked in pipeline construction in central and south Texas and served for two years in the U.S. Army. In 1962, he graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in civil engineering.

While at UT, he met fellow student Jill Langfield on a blind date at Scholz’s Beer Garden. Jim said he always wanted to see what was over the next hill and Jill was his partner on the journey.

In their first 15 years of marriage they welcomed three children and moved a dozen times among five states where Jim led large commercial construction projects for Dow Chemical, Union Pacific Railroad and C.H. Leavell Construction. In 1969 he earned a master’s in civil engineering from UT El Paso.

In 1976 Jim was named president of C. H. Leavell in Newport Beach, Calif. Two years later, the family settled in Houston when Jim joined Hines Industrial as president of its subsidiary, IBS Contractors. In 1986, Jim acquired IBS and established Metzger Construction Company. Over more than three decades, the company built major commercial projects across 11 states.

Houston was home and the company did the majority of its work here. He was deeply grateful for his colleagues at Metzger Construction, many of whom worked with him for more than 40 years. Jim also enjoyed spending time with clients, subcontractors and architects, and these professional relationships often established personal friendships that lasted decades. He retired in 2022 at the age of 86 after more than 70 years of continuous employment. Jim started his first job at 13, working nights and weekends with his dad in a filling station on E. Main St. in Fredericksburg, across from the Nimitz Hotel.

Jim devoted himself to his family. He taught us the importance of faith, education, responsibility and loyalty. His Catholic faith was the guiding force in his life, from his years at St. Mary’s to his children’s Catholic education, and his involvement with Catholicbased organizations. He and his family were also devoted Longhorns and spent many Saturdays in Texas Memorial stadium and tailgating with family and friends.

Jim was a Distinguished Graduate of the UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering and a Distinguished Alumnus of its Department of Civil Engineering. He was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Littlefield Society and Chancellor’s Council.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jill, and children Bridget Glaser (Jeff ), Richard, and John Metzger (Lisa). His favorite role later in life was that of grandfather to his three precious granddaughters: Maggie and Grace Glaser and Madelyn Metzger. He is also survived by goddaughters Patsy Weber and Sharon Tymrak, nieces, a nephew, numerous cousins and dear friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Clara Kraus Metzger, his sisters Rita, Louise, and Madeline, and his brother Reuben. Recitation of the rosary Monday, Feb. 12, at 10 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with reception to follow. St. Cecilia Catholic Church,

11720 Joan of Arc Drive. Jim will be buried in Fredericksburg later this spring. The family is grateful for the wonderful care provided by Ruth, Ricardo, Elena and Ingrid. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church and Charity Guild of Catholic Women in Houston, or St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Fredericksburg. Rest in peace, Dad, we will miss you so very much.