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Karl Sylvester Gass was born on December 9, 1921, the fourth child of Robert Carl & Emma Steubing Gass and went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 17, 2011. The following information was provided by Karl himself. His childhood years were spent on the family farm near Culebra Road. Karl attended the Culebra Country School and graduated from the ninth grade in May of 1938. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School one year, then transferred to Luther Burbank High School where he was a member of the first graduating class in 1940. After graduation, he immediately went to work at Swift & Company to help his family meet expenses incurred when his younger sister Ruby was stricken by polio earlier that year. He worked at Swift until he enlisted in the Navy in September of 1942 to serve his country during WWII. During his time in the Navy he served aboard three ships whose primary duty was escort and anti-submarine warfare. Karl was discharged on September 26, 1945. Following his discharge from the Navy, Karl worked the family farm as his brother Erwin had also been stricken by polio during Karl's time in the Navy. In December of 1946, Karl went to work for the US Post Office in San Antonio. His career at the Post Office was interrupted in 1950 when he was recalled by the Navy to serve during the Korean War. Karl had been a radar and sonar operator during WWII and this skill was needed by the Navy to help train new crews assembled to man ships activated from the mothball fleet. He served from July 1950 until March 1952 at which time he was again honorably discharged. Shortly after Karl started working at the Post Office in 1946, he met his wife Corrine who was working at the Post Office as a war temporary clerk. She is the former Corrine Mueller from Twin Sisters, Texas. They were blessed with two sons, Gerald Lee Jerry born October 6, 1949 and Wesley Keith born on July 18, 1952. Karl retired from the US Postal Service on December 31, 1977. At retirement, he held the position of Manager, Stations and Branches. He was responsible for the western half of San Antonio including all the rural areas served by these stations/branches. After retiring from the Postal Service, Karl went to work for the Alamo Federal Credit Union for almost 14 years. In his leisure time Karl enjoyed his grandchildren and also enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, watching all types of sports, playing dominoes and cards, and was an avid fan of everything dealing with Texas A&M. Karl grew up in the Zion Lutheran Church of Helotes where he was baptized and confirmed but transferred membership to Zion Lutheran Church of San Antonio in 1950 after moving to town but returned to Zion of Helotes in 2003. While in town, he served his church in various duties including Treasurer, Church Council and Board of Deacons. He coached various teams in the Sunday School league...winning city championships in Junior Boys Softball and Senior Boys Basketball. Karl was also active in coaching his sons in the Northwest YMCA as well as in the Northwest Pony Baseball leagues where his teams won several championships as well. During his 89 plus years, he did just about everything that he wanted to do. Karl had a job that he enjoyed and a woman that he loved along with a great family while living in the best state in the greatest country on earth. May the Good Lord Bless each and everyone of you for reading this...forever, Karl. And now: when ends life's transient dream, when death's cold, sullen stream rolls over me, Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove oh, bear me safe above redeemed and free! He is survived by his loving wife Corrine Gass; sons, Jerry Gass and wife Jan, Wesley Gass and wife Jena; grandchildren, Kyle, Brett, Ashley, Heidi, Anna, seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. His chosen pall bearers are: Grandsons Kyle and Brett Gass, Bill Turner, Allen Mueller, Mike Baker, and David Mueller. SERVICES A visitation will be held at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North on Monday, February 21, 2011 from 5:00 - 7:30 PM. A church service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 1:00 PM with interment to follow at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

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Karl Sylvester Gass

December 9, 1921 - February 17, 2011