J.B. "Dick" (Sonny) Vesper
April 28, 1928 - May 4, 2014
J.B. Dick Vesper, age 87, life rancher, retired May 4, 2014 and went home to be with the Lord.
Proceeded in death by his father John Bernard Vesper, mother Anna Knaggs Vesper and son Monty Vesper.
Survived by his wife of 64 years, Leslie True Vesper, daughter Kelly K. Vesper, cousin Fredna Wood, Becky Stokes, Dick Doby, Sally True and cousin Y.N. Strait.
He was born April 28, 1928 in San Antonio and raised on the family cattle ranch in Cotulla, Texas which was established in 1850. At the age of 12, Dick was introduced to Santa Gertrudis cattle at the King Ranch where he bought his first bull. That bull was instrumental in building his original herd #43. Dick attended A&M Kingsville but his college life was interrupted by his pre-mature death of his father, which brought him back to Cotulla to run the ranch. An expert horse man and roper, Dick roped with the greats and against the best. He loved dancing and was well known in many dance halls across South Texas. A legendary storyteller, he could hold court for hours recounting tales of all the great cowboys he met along the way and the lessons he learned from those experiences. He especially loved to tell stories of working and hunting on the King Ranch. A cattle rancher to the end he never stopped talking about "working the shoot" during cattle round-ups nor believing he could. A passionate promoter of Santa Gertrudis, he became the top show man in the breed, judging and selling cattle all over the world. Dick served on the Board of Directors of SGBI, Shows and Exhibits Committee and Breed Improvement Committee for many years. He also served as an Elder at the Presbyterian Church in Cotulla. His love for the Lord fueled the spirit in his step, the twinkle in his eyes and the generosity of his heart. Dick "Sonny" Vesper you will be greatly missed- Vaya con Dios
A graveside services for Mr. Vesper will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2014. at 3:00pm at the Cotulla West Cemetery. Immediately followed after graveside service family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life at the Vesper Ranch.