George Robert Grams

George Robert Grams, 74, of New Braunfels, passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at his home. Born on November 8, 1944 in Grand Rapids, MI, he was the only child of the late Robert Charles Grams and Nina Luyendyk Grams. George’s father and uncles were all over 6’7” and good athletes so it was expected that he would play basketball and go to college. George’s love of organized basketball began in 5th grade when at over 6 feet tall, he was on a championship team. By his senior year at Creston High School, he was named Most valuable Player and named to the Woodland All Star Team, All City Team, All State Team and was an All American, Honorable Mention. As an excellent student, he was recruited by over 100 colleges and universities. He chose Purdue University, where as the first 7 footer in the Big Ten, he was starting center and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. In 1966 George was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers and became the first player with Muscular Dystrophy to play in the NBA. After blowing a disc in his back he played for Marcus Haynes and the Harlem Magicians, becoming the first white man to play on a black comedy basketball team. Offered a 10 year no-cut contract by Cliff Hagan, player/coach of the Dallas Chaparrals (which later became the San Antonio Spurs), he turned it down because he knew he knew his back wouldn’t allow him to play his best. In 1979, while living in Houston and working for ARAMCO , he met Nancy Lockhart and they began an adventure that involved living in Saudi Arabia, four trips around the world, visits to all fifty states as well as over 50 countries , and a great deal of laughter. George loved basketball and wherever he lived…Texas, Iowa, Ohio, Saudi Arabia, he volunteered his time and expertise to local youth teams, including serving as Athletic Director at the MDA Summer Camp after being diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy in 1984. Later, George received the Muscular Dystrophy Association Personal Achievement Award in 1993 and 1998 and co-Hosted the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon in Cleveland, San Antonio and Cedar Rapids. After returning to Texas, George went back to school at UTSA to become certified to teach P.E., Science, Special Education, and after being named Comal ISD Teacher of the Year, finally to get his Masters of Education in Educational Administration so that he could become principal of the New Braunfels School of Choice. Unable to stay still after retiring in 2012, George became a member of Judge Dib Waldrip’s Challenge Court advisory board and was President of Challenged Sportsmen of America. As a lover of history, George (with his horse, Lincoln)was a member off the 6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry (and was Cavalry coordinator for the movie “Gettysburg”), the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of San Antonio, Sunbelt Gordon Setter Club, Hill Country Pointing Dog Club, and New Braunfels Masonic Lodge 1109. He loved his family, friends, fishing, hunting, dogs and horses. George will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Lockhart Grams; daughter, Lisa Kathleen Feete; grandchildren Harry Robert Joseph Fair, and Alacia Dominique (Lacey/Nikki) Feete. A celebration of George’s life will be held at a later date. To leave a message for the family, please message ngrams@satx.rr.com or www.www.luxfhcares.com and select obituaries.