Brian Kenneth Bartz
Brian was the very definition of Love
– patient, kind, trusting, accepting, generous and hopeful
– treating everyone in his life with warmth and affection
Brian was born in Baytown, Texas on April 14, 1960, to a humble, hardworking father from Wisconsin and a gracious, gregarious mother from Galveston who instilled in him the value of friendship and enjoyment of family and social gatherings.
At 15 months old, he welcomed twin sisters, Stefany and Erica, whom he often teased while tolerating their dubious mischief. They will forever remember his sense of humor and love of life.
Brian grew up attending St. Joseph Catholic Church and School in Baytown. At an early age, he excelled at swimming and water polo, advancing to state individual and team championships at Ross S. Sterling High School. His passion for these two sports later inspired his son Stephen to pursue and excel in them.
Brian was a National Merit scholar who earned a Plan II Liberal Arts degree from the University of Texas and a Masters in Accounting from the University of Houston Clear Lake. He became a Certified Public Accountant and eventually established his own firm working in the field for over 40 years.
A lifelong passionate Texas Longhorn, he reveled in every UT victory (especially football). He inherited this passion from his Texas Exes parents.
In 1998 Brian wed Sandra Hendrickson with whom he shared 28 years of marriage. They also shared their son Stephen. Together they enjoyed a life full of family, friends, beloved pets, travel, cooking and sampling as many craft beers as humanly possible.
From an early age Brian always loved being in nature. He found peace in breathing in God’s creations from glistening oceans to majestic mountains, from plants to trees and all of God’s creatures. He was also an avid reader with an enlightening Mind and quick wit. His sense of humor lifted everyone’s spirits especially when they needed it most.
Brian enjoyed so many things in his life it is impossible to name them all, but they included:
- Sailing, boating and water sports.
- Cooking, grilling and baking bread.
- Tending his pepper plants and walking around MAAS nursery.
- Spending time agitating his nieces, nephews and everyone else around him.
- Traveling and touring as many pubs, wineries and breweries as possible.
- Reading a good book in his favorite chair with his beloved Buster sitting beside him.
More than anything else, Brian was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. His passing leaves a giant hole in our lives that can never be filled. He will be forever missed.
Brian is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Sandra Bartz; son, Stephen Bartz and wife Dr. Laura Johnson; mother Carol Querolo Bartz; two sisters, Stefany Bartz and Erica Stepchinski and husband Patrick; two nieces, Leanne Stepchinski and Hailey Cleveland; and two nephews, Alan Stepchinski and Kingsley Cleveland. He is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Bartz.
Brian’s family would like to thank everyone who called him a friend. We are blessed and grateful for the many who showed him care and compassion and who prayed for him throughout his life.
May he rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.
In lieu of usual remembrance, the family requests memorials be made to Second Chance Pets at the following link:
www.secondchancepets.org/donate
A Memorial Service will be held at Crowder Funeral Home in Webster TX September 12th at 1:00 PM
(Please adhere to Brian’s personal dress code; NO suits, NO jackets and NO ties).
Brian was a dear friend to myself and my parents who trusted him as an excellent CPA. My memories only bring me smiles and I’ll miss him until we meet again. Cheers.
Bartz family I am very sorry for your loss. Brian and I spent a lot of our younger years together enjoying swimming and sometimes causing trouble, good memories that I will never forget.
Sandra, Carol, Stefany and Erica you all will be in my prayers.
Brian and I met at Dobie Dormitory in Austin in the fall of 1978 and we struck up an immediate friendship with many things in common: Plan II, UT football, Professor Paul Woodruff’s philosophy class, an obsessive desire to grill every meal, and the occasional trip to the Texas Union or the Cactus Cafe for a pitcher. We maintained our friendship after college, and thoroughly enjoyed the massive “text threads” during UT football games. It will be difficult tonight to not have Brian to text while UT beats down Ohio State.
You will be forever missed. I trust you are at peace and are firing up the grill with a craft beer in hand.
Brian and I would always cut up at lunch at St. Joseph.
He would bet me I couldn’t put a whole bag of potato chips in my mouth at one time.
Brian and I would also pick on our math teacher Mr. Morris. While he was writing the math problems on the chalk board, Brian and I would tie a string on the light switch.
While hiding around the corner, we would pull the string to turn off the lights.
The funnest thing about it was Mr. Morris always yelled those same Famous words,
“Golly-Bump, Golly-Bump, who’s doing that”.
Brian was the best friend a Catholic school boy could have.
Rest in peace Brian.
Heaven has gained another angel wearing burnt orange! Rest in peace cousin!
So sorry for your loss. Brian was a great friend of mine from a young age thanks to my sister Lisa LeCates. He taught me many things, how to ski, how to drive a stick shirt and how to enjoy and love nature. My prayers go out to all who knew him!
So sorry for your loss. It is a loss for all who knew Brian. I met Brian at an early age due to Church and my sister Lisa LeCates. Brian was a great friend and teacher. He taught me how to ski, drive a stick shift and how to love and enjoy nature. This loss will be felt by many. Prayers to all!!!