Larry Joe Milstead

Larry Milstead passed away peacefully at home on April 15, 2024, at the age of 77. Larry was born on July 21, 1946, in San Antonio, Texas to Marian Tribble and Elmer C. Milstead.

A memorial service honoring Larry’s life will be held on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 3 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary.  

He graduated from Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas, and continued his education at SWTJC in Uvalde, Texas. He worked for Groos Bank in San Antonio for seven years, was a Bexar County Reserve Peace Officer, Uvalde County Reserve Peace Officer, and was most proud to have been a Deputy Texas Game Warden for 36 years.

Larry also served as a Chairman and Director for the San Antonio Livestock Exposition for 15 years.

He was always involved in ranching. His grandparents owned the 72,000-acre LaMesa Ranch in Webb County. After his grandfather died, his grandmother sold the ranch, and Larry and his father leased it back and ran it for many years.

 Larry stayed in ranching and bought the 14,000-acre Tortuga Ranch near Brundage. After selling the Tortuga, he went on as a co-partner of the Cat Claw Ranch. Larry’s family also owned the 1600-acre Milstead Ranch in Castroville for over fifty years. He has lived on his smaller ranch south of Uvalde, where he continued to raise cattle as well as world-class deer hunts. He knew cattle well. He could train a bull to lay down and roll over to be scratched and he has pictures to prove it. He named most of his cattle at the Uvalde ranch, and they knew they could count on him come rain or drought. Freckles, Foxy, and Little Bud all have a home on the ranch for life. And he loved his horses. He named a few deer, especially the ones that came to eat the flour tortillas he tossed them in the morning and evenings.

Larry was also at home on the water and as in most other things he did, he taught safety and skill. Fishing, salt water mostly, was his to own. He taught the skills of boating to family and friends, and he fished for many years in and near Port Aransas, entering and winning tournaments.

Larry lived life joyously! Everyday! His Smile was frequent and spontaneous.

 Larry was a real marksman, a shooter’s shooter. He was disciplined accurate, and challenging. If you could meet his standards of safety and desire and were willing to continually strive to become better with all the latest equipment, you might just get to shoot with him. It would be an experience you would never forget. Larry was good friends with the Border Patrol BORTAC and occasionally trained with them. He had many close friends within Border Patrol and law enforcement in general.

Larry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend and generous to a fault. He had a wicked sense of humor, could make you laugh every day, and could sell you on his latest project. He was a real cowboy, hat, AND cattle, although in later years he traded in his horse for a Mule and a Warrior and his boots for Ariat shoes and sandals.

His circle of friends was as big as Texas. He loved a good story and wasn’t shy about pulling a good prank or two.

 He is survived by his wife Lee Huddleston-Milstead, daughter Misty Foster; stepson, Brian Huddleston and (Vicky); and grandchildren Larissa Matchett, Ryleigh Goulden, Shyla Justin Dobie; and great-children Madison, Zaylie and Raiden. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Darlyne Milstead.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Texas Parks and Wildlife “Friends of Texas Game Wardens,” who dedicate their lives to protecting the natural resources and citizens of Texas.