Parson Cicero Rust (P.C.), devoted father, grandfather, truck driver, rancher and friend died Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the age of 83 in the San Antonio, Texas Audie Murphy VA Hospital Emergency Room.
P.C. was born in Blanco, Texas on February 9, 1933 to parents Garland August Rust and Estella Martha Danz Rust. His roots remained in Blanco, with brief stays in San Antonio, the Sandy community, Johnson City, and Seguin.
Driving was P.C's passion. His Studebaker wagon with bridled team hauled cattle feed and garden produce. He delighted in plowing fields with his Ford and Son tractor. His big rigs hauled cattle and hay not only in the Hill Country, but also nationwide; along with his weekly trips on Wednesday nights from Giddings to the Swift packing plant in San Antonio; that he would usually take his two children along with him. He drove his big Perterbuilt 18 wheeler until the age of 75.
P.C. was excited about the ranching industry. He was not saddened at all when cotton no longer was grown on the Rust Ranch: he preferred working with cattle to picking cotton. He enjoyed the wildlife, the deer and wild turkeys, as they drank water from P.C.'s favorite area of the ranch: Buckhorn Springs.
P.C. proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. In the early years, he shared his faith at the historic Blanco United Methodist Church: in later years, he eagerly worshiped at the Blanco Cowboy Church.
P.C., a 1950 graduate of Blanco High School, consistently was loyal to the blue and gold, a PROUD Panther Fan and supporter. He attended almost all football games until his health began to fail. His helping hand was always available. He was so proud of the Blanco panther football team and their playoff success; and would always chant "Go Panthers Go" before each game always asking us "how did my panthers do" the next day after their Friday night games. He was one of the founding members of the historic Twin Sisters Dance Hall; and was pleased of the preservation. He was also a member of the Sons of Hermann; recently receiving his 50year pin. He loved eating his lunches daily from the Blanco Bowling Alley Cafe, playing dominoes with whomever he could get to play with him. Usually it was his great friend Bill, his niece Sandra, long time nurse and friend Debbie and his daughter Tracy-Lou. He was also a diehard supporting fan of his San Antonio Spurs and his Dallas Cowboys.
On December 30, 1958, P.C. wrote part of his philosophy of life to his cousin Cicero Alexander (C.A.) Rust III, "If you want something and love it, just work for it and success and happiness will always follow you."
He is predeceased by his loving companion Betty Gunn, his parents, and his sisters Lula Bell Wintucky and Sonja Lee Behn Wagner.
He is survived by his daughter Tracy-Lou Rust Lovelace and boyfriend Norman Funderburg. His son Stacy-Wade Rust and wife Cally; grandchildren Cheyenne, Preston and Cody Rust all of Seguin, Texas; His Topcat Charlie; his brother-in-law William T. (Bill) Wintucky; his niece Sandra Behn Beall and husband Kenneth; and nephew John Behn; his first (double) cousin C.A. Rust III; the mother of his children and recent caregiver Martha Ann "Schatzy" Johnson; step-daughter Anita-Jo Schaefer and step-son Ricky Reardon; and his long time nurse in Blanco Debbie Stanley.
Visitation with family present will be held Friday, March 25, 2016 from 5-7pm and funeral services will be held Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 2pm both at Crofts-Crow Funeral Home, Blanco, Texas, with Darrell Ayres officiating. A graveside service will follow at the Historic Blanco Cemetery in the Rust Family plots with military honors.
A Moore Family wagon will be transporting P.C.'s casket to his final resting place at the cemetery, recalling the Rust Family's settling in Blanco in the late 1860's. The pioneer Rust's first located southwest of Blanco near Buzzard Roost before settling southeast of Blanco, where the one room Mt.View school was located.
Pallbearers include Bill Golson, Kiall Luckie, Norman Funderburg, David Danz, Kenneth Moore, Larry Moore and Thomas Broyles.
Honorary pallbearers are Fritz Kuebel, C.A. Rust III, William T. (Bill) Wintucky, and Tommy Luckie.
The family request donations be made in lieu of flowers to Tracy-Lou Lovelace, 3667 Hwy 90 Alternate, Seguin, Texas 78155 to help with medical and funeral expenses or to the charity of your choice