JAMES DONALD METCALFE

James Donald Metcalfe, known to most family and friends as “JD”, passed away at liis home in Wimberley on , after a 9-month battle with throat and neck cancer.

Although he never embraced Wimberley as a hometown (San Antonio earned that title), he could be found at HEB many days a week, sporting one of his many, hats and usually in some land of Spurs shirt or jacket. You'd know him because he was die one grumbling about the legendary poor parking skills of his fellow shoppers.

Born in San Jose, CA, in 1946 to Jim and Erleen Metcalfe, he was called Don by his parents and 3 siblings. They moved to Texas, finally living in and miming the small hospital in Three Rivers. Upon graduating, he briefly attended Texas AM university in Kingsville before enlisting in die Navy and won a trip to Vietnam. As Petty Officer Jim, he did his part to uphold the image of Texas in many a barroom fight. After honorably serving his country, Jim returned to Kingsville, and became JD - a conductor for MoPac railroad. He also owned and operated the Brass Monkey - one of the few bars in town. He welcomed Freddie Fender, Augie Meyers, and other south Texas musicians to the stage at the Monkey, packing die place with 25cent beer nights, and looking the other way when serving cute, almost-legal- aged girls. It was the 70s.

One of these young women became his wife. Susan Stevenson graduated from high school in Kingsville, her family moved to Houston, and after college, Susan lured him to the bright lights of San Antonio. They married in 1979. He completed his interrupted college degree at UTSA, eventually becoming one of the oldest Student Body presidents to give the administration a hard time. JD then began a 25-year career with the Texas Workforce Commission.

Becoming a father to two sons proved to be JD’s calling. In addition to teaching Mitch and Riley life lessons like “always question authority,” he devoted lioms to coaching their Little League, soccer, and basketball games, and would proudly boast of their academic achievements to any who would listen.

After 36 years in San Antonio, Susan and JD moved Wimberley to build a house on property that had been in Susan’s family since 1975. For die year die house was under construction, Susan lived hi her tiny ait studio on the property, and JD lived in Woodcreek widi his mother-in-law, an arrangement that worked surprisingly well. But tiieir low of San Antonio continued, and the solution was to maintain a small home diere as well as Wimberley. This proved to be a great option duiing die pandemic years - and later, after die arrival of a granddaughter.

JD loved die Spurs, die beach in Akumal, Mexico, and cheese enchiladas. He was a loving husband of 44-years, devoted father, father-in-law to Riley's wife Frances, grandfather, and a good lifelong friend to many. He was opinionated, did not suffer fools gladly, loved a good debate, and never did understand slow drivers that won’t pull over to let others pass. He was never mean and loved to laugh, even as his health declined. The family would like to thank Dr. Ivan Ramirez and Emily at Gentiva Hospice for the patience, compassion and care diey provided, as well as the many friends who helped care for him and kept Susan sane. Jimmy Buffet - who JD may or may not have smoked a joint with back in the day at die Ritz hi Corpus Clnisti - once sang, “some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic, but I had a good life all die way.' He definitely did.