Edwin T. "Eddie" Schneider

Edwin Taylor “Eddie” Schneider, 91, of San Benito, Texas, drove his last canal ride on August 29,2022 after his battle with cancer.

He leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his family and friends who were always entertained by his stories and hilarious sense of humor.  He truly brought life to the party.

Eddie was born on December 6, 1930 in San Benito, Texas to Jakob and Elsie Schneider, pioneers of San Benito. Eddie was the seventh child of the eight children born to Jakob and Elsie.

At the age of one-and-a-half years, he contracted polio in his right leg. He recalled his mother spending countless hours of therapy on his leg to heal it but with no success.  However, he overcame this setback and if there was one thing Eddie was, that was determined. No matter the challenge or request, he gave his all to ensure he exceeded all expectations whether for himself or others. His disability never kept him from trying to do anything, especially in his quest to join the military. When his brothers joined, he decided he wanted to fight for his country as well, so he loaded on the bus to join, only to be told to get off due to his disability. That rejection only made him more determined to succeed in life, and succeed he did.

Eddie married the love of his life, Lenora Sue Dixon, three months after meeting her on a blind date. Their love continued for sixty-seven years.  With eight children, nineteen grandchildren and twenty-nine great grandchildren, Eddie and Lenora have left quite the legacy. Anyone who knows Eddie knows that his family was his pride and joy, especially his angel Lenora. Nothing gave him more pleasure than to watch his children participate and excel in sports. You could always see him watching from his bright orange truck.  Many days and nights were spent at the ball field, football field, tennis courts and basketball courts. He was definitely our best cheerleader.

If you asked Eddie, he would tell you he had been working since he was six years old.  His first job began when he asked his Daddy for ice cream money and was told that when he had his own money, he could buy the ice cream himself. So, Eddie sold vegetables out of his wagon to earn that ice cream money.  When he was eleven years old, he sold newspapers and vividly remembered it being a cold Sunday morning on December 7, 1941 when Pearl Harbor was bombed and shouting “Extra! Extra! Japanese Bomb Pearl Harbor!”  At the age of sixteen, he became a volunteer for the San Benito Fire Department, which he loved. He was promoted to Captain with the Fire Department before his tenure ended.

Eddie worked at Allison Cleaners and, while working there, Mr. Ferguson asked him to work for Ferguson Motors as a mechanic, which he did. After working for Ferguson Motors, he went to work for the Cameron County Water District and retired after thirty-six years. Many lasting friendships developed at the water district, namely Clarence Magouirk, J.D. Kirkland, Roy Kosel, Sonia Lambert, Julia Mendoza, Carol Cavazos, Nelda Sorio, and Freddie Ortega. While working for the water district, Eddie and Lenora decided to open an RV park for Winter Texans. In 1977, they started El Ranchito Trailer Park with twenty-five spots. When they sold the park, it had grown to forty RV spots. Many good friends and wonderful memories were made there.

Anyone who Eddie, knew of his love for classic country music, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Houston Astros. It pleased him to have his family sitting outside with him on a summer evening listening to music or to the Astros’ game on the radio. Eddie and his family were active in St. John’s Lutheran Church, of which his father, Jakob, was a charter member.

He was loved by everyone who ever met him. Eddie was a fantastic father, a great husband, and a best friend to people from all walks of life, both young and old. He touched the lives of so many people of different generations. No matter the situation, you would always leave with a story of something funny Eddie said or did. He was such a light in this sometimes-dark world and he will be greatly missed.

Eddie is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Lenora; his daughters, Debbie Dillard (Earl), Karen Holbrook (Hank), Brenda Cook (Loren), Vicky Sanchez (Henry), Cindy Stevens (Corey), Jennifer Burrier (Ronnie); and his son, Bruce Schneider (Eydie). He is also survived by his sisters, Karoline Forren of Boerne, Texas and Sophie Kowalsky of San Benito, Texas; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Eddie is now at peace joining his beloved son, Jakob Edwin; his parents, Jakob and Elsie; his brothers, Karl and Chris; and his sisters, Ruth, Helen, and Frieda.

A special thanks to his caregivers Vicky Cantu, Lisa Campos and Janie Alonso, to the caring staff of Elara Hospice with a special thanks to Ryan, Soriada, Marissa, and Chaplain Ortiz, and nurses Fannie Mata and Delia at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations honoring Eddie’s life and legacy may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) and K9s for Warriors (k9sforwarriors.org).

The Schneider family will receive relatives and friends Friday, September 2, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft Benito Funeral Home. A Chapel Service will take place Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Following the service, Eddie will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park.