JAMES H. UPTMORE

- February 3, 2022

James “Jim” Herman Uptmore Sr. went home to be with our Lord and Savior on February 3, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas, due to natural causes. He was surrounded by so much love and family in the weeks prior to his death. Jim was an accomplished businessman and philanthropist, second only to being one of the biggest Aggies anyone would ever meet. His love of family and hard work would go on to create a legacy known by many throughout Texas.

The oldest of 7 children, Jim was born on June 4, 1931, to Herman and Angeline (Vrba) Uptmore on a farm in the small town of Tours, Texas. He attended West High School and grew up working on his family farm. He headed off to college with nothing more than an apple crate carrying a set of bed sheets, toiletries, and a few articles of clothing. While attending Texas A&M University, his entrepreneurial spirit took hold. He did everything from selling programs at games, running campus wide candy concessions, serving meals in the Annex mess hall, as well as the Memorial Student Center and Rudder Tower and, most famously, he was known for stenciling girl’s underwear with ‘ATM’ and ‘Aggies’ to sell to his fellow cadets as gifts for their beloveds. He also ran a photography business for events and dances alongside his brother, Ted. There was no limit to Jim’s business savvy. Along with all his money-making ventures, Jim found the time to serve St. Mary’s Catholic Church as the Neumann Club President. After earning a degree in Agricultural Education and becoming a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of ‘53, he met the love of his life and future wife of 67 years, Janice, at graduation. He then entered the Air Force as a first lieutenant, serving for two years and continuing to see Jan. His courtship with her would not only lead to marriage and children, but it would be the start of a relationship that would help drive his career. His mother-in-law, Alta Tschirhart, a highly respected business woman in the real estate field, would be the one to introduce Jim to Mr. Zachry. In 1956, Jim joined Zachry Properties, learning the real estate business in its entirety. He became the president in just eight short years. In 1974, after many years of a dynamic business partnership and friendship with H. B. Zachry, Jim acquired the balance of stock in Zachry Properties and merged that with his own holdings and incorporated it into J. H. Uptmore & Associates. After being responsible for much of San Antonio’s commercial and residential real estate development throughout the years, his construction business thrived and became a multi-generational endeavor. Some of the fruits of his hard work included many apartment complexes, business parks and office towers, Turtle Creek Country Club, and neighborhoods such as Harmony Hills, Colonies North, Churchill Forest, Big Country, Churchill Estates, Harvest Hills and many others.

Jim’s love of hard work meant rising before the sun and sharing a beverage with others once the workday ended. He was the definition of true grit. His character was strong and courageous, in the midst of successes and many hardships in business and life. He continued to persevere and follow through in all goals and commitments with undying passion. With that said, real estate and construction would never outweigh his passion for farming and ranching. Jim was the 2nd largest farmer in Bexar County for years, farming more than 2,000 acres. He owned the largest custom feedlot in Bexar County, known as the Luckey Custom Feedlot, which had a capacity of over 15,000 head of cattle. Luckey Ranch included 1000 acres of wheat, corn, and hay and was an exciting endeavor of his for many years. Thanks to his friend, Earnie Schirmer, he was able to continue his love of farming and ranching. He always kept a few rows of sweet corn to share with family and friends and enjoyed sitting beside a painter’s bucket shucking the corn with his grandkids for Jan to cook later.

Jim found joy in the simple things. He loved his weekly lunches with friends at La Cocinita. He loved building iron fences, eradicating mesquite trees, and growing sweetheart roses for his loving wife. Also, he loved chewing tobacco! He started when he was 14 and had no intention of giving it up. His grandchildren often enjoyed his tobacco stained kisses or a wad of it placed on a bee sting, and they were told that “the only problem with chewin’ tobacco is when there is nowhere to spit.” He loved parties and family events. He loved singing the part of ‘two turtle doves’ in his

June 4, 1931

unique rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas performance by the family every Christmas Eve. He enjoyed attending the Aggie luncheons every Monday to see his many friends. Planning and having the annual Past President’s Party and the Aggie Family Barbeque were highlights in his life. He enjoyed seeing other people having a good time, especially his family. Another favorite of Jim’s was getting the West newspaper so that he could keep up with his West, Texas family and friends. He looked forward to his weekly phone visits with his brother Ted to discuss the number of cattle at the auction, and current events happening in West.

Jim was well known for his pride in being the ultimate Aggie. His support was exemplified by not missing more than a handful of football games for over 50 years, and requiring any family event scheduled for the fall to be on a bye-week. Upon graduating from Texas A&M, he served as Class Agent for the Class of 1953. He was also President of the Texas Aggie Club, which would later become the 12th Man Foundation from 1967 to 1969. He was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1985 and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Honor in 1989. He served as President of the local Aggie Club at Aggie Park in San Antonio. He received the Polly Krueger ‘12 Distinguished Service Award and has been chairman of the College Agricultural Development Council. He was one of the original pioneers of GSABA (Greater San Antonio Builders Association) and served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Home Builders. Jim was President of GSABA in 1966 and President of the Texas Builders Association in 1971. He was also named “Builder of the Year” in 1971. He chaired several other committees, including those within the San Antonio Stock Show, Boysville, and many more. Jim enjoyed convincing fellow San Antonio businessmen to bid at the S.A.L.E. auctions during the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo to support the FFA kids and gleefully calling the men to let them know they had just bought a pig or calf. In 1984, Jim and Jan became Texas A&M Aggie Parents of the Year. As an Aggie, one of his greatest achievements was having 18 of his kids and grandkids (and counting) follow in his footsteps and earn their Aggie Ring.

Jim’s greatest accomplishment was being the patriarch of an enormous family, which included 7 children, 25 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren (to date), along with being husband to his sweetheart, Jan. If you knew Jim, then you know that Jan stood by him through thick and thin and was his rock in all his life’s endeavors. He loved her dearly and she was the light of his life. His son Paul, and the joy that he brings to our family, was one of the greatest blessings of Jim’s life. God and family were the most important things in his life. Jim enjoyed mass every Sunday and he made it a priority to get to know many priests over the years and valued their counsel and friendship. He taught his family unconditional love, loyalty, work ethic, perseverance, and faith. He was a giant among men and never met a soul he could not turn into his friend. His advice and guidance for his family was endless, and he was always willing to share his time with others. He supported many and inspired even more. His famous ATM pool can still be seen by air traffic and is surely his way of locating the family from even higher above. His legacy will live on long after today and we will all continue to hear him say, “Don’t talk about it. Do it!”

Jim was preceded in death by three brothers, Clarence Uptmore, David Uptmore and Patrick “Pat” Uptmore; his sonin-law, William “Billy” Blake; and 2 grandsons, James “JJ” H. Uptmore III and Shelton Uptmore. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Janice “Jan” Uptmore; his brothers Ted Uptmore & wife, Adele, and Alan Uptmore; his sister Carol “Sissy” Beard & husband, Tom; his sisters-in-law Nancy Uptmore and Sue Uptmore; his 7 children: Nellie Richter & husband, Dr. Carl Richter, Debbie Tedder & husband, Don, James “Sonny” H. Uptmore Jr., Jack Uptmore & wife, Susan, Chris Uptmore, Cammie Blake and Paul Uptmore; 25 grandchildren and their spouses, nearly 18 and counting great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and countless friends and others who were touched by Jim throughout his lifetime. The family would like to thank Jim’s devoted caregivers during his end of life, including Jennifer Boeck, Diane Tonsul, Joann Campa and granddaughter, Delia Tedder.

The family will receive friends beginning at 6:00 PM on Monday, February 21, 2022, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

ROSARY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

7:00 PM PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

2102 NORTH LOOP 1604 EAST

FUNERAL MASS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022

10:30 AM

ST MARK THE EVANGELIST

CATHOLIC CHURCH 1602 THOUSAND OAKS

DRIVE

Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choosing.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE TO FOLLOW

1:00 PM

AGGIE PARK

6205 WEST AVE

FOOD AND BEVERAGES TO

BE SERVED

You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com

Arrangements with