Gary Allan Batte

Born in Waxahachie, Texas to Robert and Juanita Batte, Gary grew up with two brothers on a farm near Italy. They enjoyed the freedom of playing and fishing in the creek and hunting.  In high school he excelled in track and football, and served on Future Farmers of America judging teams.  He helped on the farm and also worked at Marvin Knight’s Grocery Store.  Gary married his high school sweetheart, Sue Davis Batte, and in December 2021 they would celebrate their 60th anniversary.

Gary attended school in Italy, Texas from first grade through high school.  He attended Tarleton State University for two years, and then transferred to Texas A & M, graduating in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education.  Gary was in the Corps of Cadets all four years of college, and then served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964.  He worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service, from 1964 until his retirement in 1994 as an Area Conservationist.

As a young boy, Gary enjoyed carving designs and toys from tree limbs and grocery crates.  After leaving for college, his art would be on hold until years later, when he would begin creating western caricatures that would be featured in national museums, galleries and publications, and collected throughout the U.S. He published several instructional books, and enjoyed traveling to teach others these skills.  He liked how his caricatures made people laugh.  He and Sue greatly enjoyed camaraderie from state and national woodcarving organizations and shows.

Gary and Sue were members of First Baptist Church, and the Open Door Sunday School class, and Gary served as a deacon.  He shared the Bible by serving as a Gideon; his favorite verse was John 3:16.

Always appreciating the outdoors, Gary fished, hunted, and planned trips to show his family the beauty and history of our state and national parks.  He and Sue made numerous domestic and international trips with the Shaw group –his favorite was to Alaska.  He enjoyed listening to traditional country music such as Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash.  He fostered in his kids an interest in history and culture through trips to museums, and with his collections of Native American arrowheads and Texas barbed wire. He was always reading, and especially liked Grisham, western novels, and historical fiction.

Gary is survived by his wife Sue; his son John Batte and his wife Lynette of Cedar Park, Texas; his daughter Lorri Etheridge of Fort Worth, Texas; and his grandsons Garrett Etheridge, Holden Batte, and Dillon Batte.  He is also survived by his brother Charles Batte and his wife Aileen of Belton, Texas, and his brother Dan and his wife Beverly of Waxahachie, Texas.  He also has several nieces and a nephews.

Besides his parents, Gary was also preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Jimmy Davis.

Memorial donations can be made to the Texas Baptist Men’s Association, Cal Farley Boys’ Ranch,

First Baptist Church of Stephenville, or to a charity of choice.

Funeral services for Gary will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, January 21st at Stephenville First Baptist Church with Dr. Ken May officiating.  Burial will follow at West End Cemetery.  Visitation with the Batte family will be 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Thursday at Stephenville Funeral Home..