L.J. Hoehn

L.J. Hoehn went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 12, 2022. At the time of his death, he was surrounded by his loving family in his living room, just as he requested. He was born on February 20, 1934, on the family farm between Crawford and McGregor. He was the son of the late Louie and Alma (Bohne) Hoehn. He was also preceded in death by his two sisters, Dorothy (Hoehn) Steinke and Lucille Hoehn. He became a child of God through his baptism at St. John Lutheran Church, Coryell City, Texas. He affirmed his baptismal vows on his confirmation at Zion Lutheran Church, McGregor, Texas.

L.J. grew up on the family farm working in the fields and assisting with the caring of the animals.  He attended Crawford High School graduating in 1953.  He played football for the late C.K. Burns and continued to talk about how good his team was “back in the day.” L.J. married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou Lammert on October 13, 1956, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Crawford, Texas. For their honeymoon they traveled by car to Kansas City, Missouri, where L.J. received the American Farmer Degree at the National FFA Convention. For the next sixty-five years, L.J. and Betty Lou made their home on the family farm. They had three daughters, LuAnn, Celeste and Amy.

In addition to farming, L.J. worked at Smead Manufacturing, General Tire & Rubber Co., Franklin Limestone and M&M Mars where he retired after twenty years.

L.J. loved to go fishing and hunting. He looked forward to his fishing and hunting adventures with his friends and family. After L.J. retired, he and Betty were their grandchildren’s number one fans. They never missed a game regardless of the weather or location. They traveled the roads for many years supporting their grandchildren.

L.J. served on numerous boards supporting the Crawford community, including the Coryell City Water Board, St. Paul Lutheran Church Council, and the Crawford Community Center.  Throughout his life, he was a true ambassador for Crawford, Texas.

L.J. never met a stranger.  He made friends wherever he went and made sure that everyone in the room felt comfortable.  In his last years, his pride and joy was his coastal Bermuda hay patch.  He could not wait to get on his tractor to work his hay field; furthermore, he enjoyed selling his hay to those in need in the Crawford community.

L.J. is survived by his wife, Betty Lou (Lammert), of sixty- five years and his children, LuAnn (Hoehn) Smith and husband Ricky of Crawford, Texas; Celeste (Hoehn) Blenden and husband Rusty of Crawford, Texas; Amy (Hoehn) Lancaster and husband Chris of Crawford, Texas. L.J. was especially proud of his six grandsons and one granddaughter who survive him: Clint Smith and wife Laura; Micah Smith and wife Ashley; Joshua Smith and wife Stacey; Eric Blenden and wife Gayla; Cameron Blenden and wife Brittany; Carter Blenden and wife Claire; and Haley Vaughn and fiancé Mason Browning.  He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren – Dylan, Abigail, Kaitlyn, Rachel, Reagan, Cole, Graham, Isabelle, Lake, Tate, Maddox, Collins, Liam, and Landyn. Other survivors include brother-in-law Donald Lammert and wife, Jo Ann; nieces Kathleen (Steinke) Plemons and husband Mike; Donna (Steinke) Lammert and husband Jerry; Ashley (Lammert) Bubert and husband Anthony; and Shelley (Lammert) Hailey and husband Travis; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.… Also, during his last few days, he became the owner of a pet bull from Caldwell, Texas, named “LJ”, a gift given to him by  Matt Dillon and Ms. Kitty.  L.J. was sure of this story!

Pallbearers include grandson’s Clint Smith, Micah Smith, Joshua Smith, Eric Blenden, Cameron Blenden, Carter Blenden, and granddaughter Haley Vaughn.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 17, at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Dr., Woodway, TX 76712. Celebration of his life will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 18, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 140 Prairie Chapel Rd., Crawford, Texas. Burial will follow at St. Paul Memorial Park, outside of Crawford, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church, PO Box 98, Crawford, TX 76638; or Tonkawa Falls Event Center (formerly the Crawford Community Center) TFEC, PO Box 361, Crawford, TX 76638.

The family would also like to thank the staff and nurses at Providence Hospital and Providence Hospice, with special recognition to Gay Fox for her personal and professional care with L.J. and the family.

Registry for L.J. Hoehn