Jeffery “Jeff” Rhodes Wilton,age 76, of La Coste, entered eternal rest on the morning of January 23, 2019. He was born November 8, 1942, in San Antonio, the fifth of seven sons of James Sr. and Jimmie Lee Wilton.
On August 17, 1974, he married Colleen Ahr at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Jeff and Colleen were blessed with 44 wonderful years of marriage. They were each other’s best friend.
Jeff began working at a young age. By the age of 20, he was managing three gas stations. In 1963, he began working at Automotive Research as a tire technician until 1980. He then led a security team for Wackenhut and retired as a lieutenant.
Then began his photography career, working for the Castroville News Bulletin and Medina Valley Times. He loved attending school events, weddings, and grand openings. He also went to car accidents, fire and train wrecks. Some of his photos were used as crime scene photos in court. Photography allowed him to attend many political and other events. He met President George Bush, Henry Bonilla, Rick Perry, Dallas Cowboys Coach Tom Landry and many others.
Jeff and Colleen attended hundreds of softball, volleyball, football and baseball games. He always had his camera around his neck, snapping pictures, not only of his kids, but all the kids on the team. He would then have them developed, always getting two copies of each. This way, he had a set to give away. He loved seeing the smiles on kids’ faces when they got a picture of themselves in action.
Jeff loved to go deer hunting, fishing, collecting knives and going to Las Vegas to gamble.
Survivors include his wife, Colleen Wilton of La Coste;children and their spouses, Sharon and Steve Rogers of Pipe Creek, Jeff C. Wilton of Dayton, TX, Renea and Don Friedrichs of Bandera, Nadia and Jason Staggs of Lubbock, Monty Wilton of La Coste and Dennis Starr of Center Point; 21 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and “two on the way”; brothers and sister-in-law, Jerry and Katherine Wilton of San Antonio and Jack Wilton of Sugarland; brothers-in-law, Leroy (Linda) Ahr, Lindy (Maureen) Ahr, Lonny (Heather) Ahr; sisters-in-law, Suzanne MacDonald, Mary Wilton and Mary Jane Wilton as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Lester MacDonald; brothers, James, Jr., John, Jene and Jamie Wilton; stepbrother, David MacDonald; parents-in-law, Quintin and Eunice Ahr.
Visitation was Tuesday, January 29, 2019 starting at 5:00 pm at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 pm that evening. Mass of the Resurrection will be Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials may be made in Jeff’s memory to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.