Merle Walter Schwartz

Merle Walter Schwartz of Canyon Lake, TX passed away peacefully around midnight Thursday morning, July 12, 2018 at the age of 83 years old at EdenHill Home under the care of Hope Hospice in New Braunfels, TX. Merle was born to Leona Katherine Schwartz and Walter Frank Schwartz October 27, 1934 in Houston, TX. He graduated from Reagan High School in Houston in 1953. Merle earned a full scholarship to play football for the University of Houston where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He married his high school sweetheart, Janet B. Dobbs, on December 15, 1956. After graduating from the University of Houston in 1958 he was employed by Boeing Airplane Company and was the liaison to the US Air Force on the Bomarc Missile project as part of our National Defense in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. This took him and Janet all over the our county from Seattle, Washington; Toms River, New Jersey; Fort Walton Beach, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana and then back to Houston, Texas where he went to work for NASA to develop the Safety Program for the manned space flights. During his time at NASA he was awarded the Apollo Achievement Award several times. In the mid 70’s he teamed up with several NASA engineers to form Hydrotreat, Inc. a Water Treatment company. Merle retired in 2012 and moved to Canyon Lake where he enjoyed feeding the deer and birds every day. Merle was preceded in death by his parents and 4 brothers Lee Walter Dockal, Elroy Willie Dockal, Walter Lloyd Dockal, and Robert Franklin Schwartz. He is survived by his wife of 62 1/2 years Janet B. Schwartz, his three sons Wayne A. Schwartz and wife Kim, Paul S. Schwartz and wife MaryBeth, Gary L. Schwartz and wife Deborah, and one daughter Karen L. Weldon and her husband Mark. He was also survived by his sisters Julia Williams and Kathy Hedrick. Merle cherished all of his 13 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews that he loved and adored very much. Merle was an avid hunter and fisherman and passed this passion to his sons and grandchildren. Anyone that knew him knew he was quite the competitor. He loved playing cards and beating you. He didn’t even care how old you were - he was going to beat you. For many years Merle was a champion fast pitch softball pitcher and played competitively until the age of 68. Teams from all over the state would ask him to pitch for them. Merle loved being involved with the youth at church: he taught Royal Ambassadors and 11th grade Sunday school for many years. In his later years he continued teaching adult Sunday school. It was evident by his actions he lived a life of service to others by teaching Sunday school, little league baseball, and helping needy families over his own at times. Merle is probably most known for his gift of gab, wittiness, and kindness toward others. He had a smile for everyone and never judged. He was a true example of what it means, as a man, to live out the Christian faith by showing respect, generosity, forgiveness, and unconditional love to everyone he met. One of his favorite passages from scripture is 1 Corinthians 13 1-3, 13 (NIV) (1) If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (2) If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. (3) If I gave all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (13) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. A memorial services will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at South Main Baptist Church, 4300 East Sam Houston Pkwy South, Pasadena, TX 77505. A reception will be held immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Merle’s name to First Baptist Church Canyon Lake - Youth Department. The address is 13085 FM 306, Canyon Lake, TX 78133. We would like to thank Lux Funeral Home & Cremation Services in New Braunfels, TX for their help with Merle’s Interment. A condolence page will be available on their website at www.www.luxfhcares.com