TSGT George Carl Hehr

TSGT George Carl Hehr, 88, passed away on August 30, 2025.

George was born November 25, 1936 in Buffalo, New York at Father Baker's Hospital; the first-born son of Carl Charles Hehr and Margaret Barbara Kraft. He attended Orchard Park High School graduating in 1955. After graduation George worked as a farmhand at John Rose Farm on Southwestern Boulevard and California Road in Windom, New York. In high school George was on the rifle team. Prior to joining the US Army, George briefly worked at Republic Steel in the Open Hearth area.  After joining the Army, George was stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany where his job was combat engineer, building bridges across rivers to carry the first atomic cannon. During his three year Army service he was also an 81 mm gunner. 

Upon returning to the United States, George met his first wife Barbara Newton. They married in 1959. After co-owning a Western Auto with his parents in Seneca Falls, New York, George and Barbara joined the United States Air Force. Barbara and George adopted three children while stationed in Hawaii. Relieved of active duty May 1,1980, with a career spanning 22 years in the military. George retired after settling in Oatmeal, Texas where he, Barbara with their children, Laura, Tim, and Chris, built their home at the headwaters of Oatmeal Creek in southeast Burnet County.

George served as chairman of the Burnet County tax review board for over 24 years. He was highly regarded for his shrewd judgment and clear thinking. The development of the Property Owners Association for Morgan Creek Village was an organization near to George's heart. After serving most organizational positions he remained a trustee and member of the architectural committee. George became not only a real estate broker but a conservator of buildings on the Burnet square. George restored the following buildings: First State Bank on the corner of Jackson and Pierce, the old Burnet Bulletin on the corner of Jackson and Main, and the Schnabbel Bakery at 308 South Main. For years George Hehr Real Estate was located at 105 West Jackson Street in Burnet. For over 10 years George was the US Marshal and gun safety officer in the Burnet Gunfighters re-enactors. George and Sharon remained active in the programs at Fort Croghan. George and Sharon Phenix were married November 11, 2000. After George's retirement from the real estate business and tax review board, they traveled far and wide in an RV with one or more of George's beloved dogs.

George had the greenest thumb, the biggest heart, and great strength of character. His passing leaves a hole in the universe. George was preceded by his first wife Barbara, his mother and father.  George is survived by his wife, Sharon and his brother James (Rosemary) Hehr and George's three children, Laura Swander, Tim Hehr and Chris (Shawna Mayerson) Hehr: 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Graveside services are planned at 10:30, Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Lakeland Memorial Park, 4219 Park Rd 4 S., Burnet, 78611.

Reception following at 12:15 at 308 South Main, Burnet, the first building George restored.  

In lieu of flowers a donation can be made out to First Methodist Church, 1101 Bluebonnet Dr. Marble Falls, TX 78654. In the memo write “Wesley Respite Center”.

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