Maurice Rimkus

Alvin Maurice Rimkus passed away on Sept. 18, 2017, at the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.
Funeral services will be held at Baptist Temple Church in Uvalde, Texas, at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, officiated by Pastor Tony Gruben. Interment will be at Concan Cemetery at 3 p.m. on Friday, officiated by Maurice's niece, Dr. Vicki Vaughn.
Memorials may be made to the Baptist Temple Church, 620 E. Main, Uvalde, Texas 78801, or the charity of one's choice.
Maurice was born on Nov. 3, 1924, in Knippa, Texas, to Erwin and Mattie Rimkus.
He attended elementary school in Knippa, was a graduate of Sabinal High School and a student at Texas A&M University before joining the U.S. Navy flight program. At the end of World War II he returned to the farm and witnessed one of the worst droughts in Uvalde County history. Times were hard and in 1953, his dad told him he would have to leave the farm and get a job.
He worked for Shell Oil Company for 20 years, ultimately becoming a regional operations supervisor traveling nationwide troubleshooting seismic operations. At Shell Oil Company's Houston Headquarters, he developed seismic software and equipment. He made a vow to himself that he would not come back to the dry land family farm until he could irrigate. In 1973, he retired from Shell and came home to Knippa and became a full-time irrigation farmer.
Maurice was a leading advocate for water rights for the farmers of Uvalde County. He was instrumental in the creation of the Uvalde County Underground Water Conservation District and served as its first chairman.
He played a key role in developing the legislation that created the Edwards Aquifer Authority and served on the board of directors. He was awarded the Environmental Award, Conservation Farmer in 1980. He was quoted in several textbooks and magazines, including Texas Monthly and National Geographic. As a friend once said, no matter if Maurice were facing the Water Commission, the Legislators, or Aquifer Authorities, he came prepared with extensive knowledge of water hydrology and Texas Water Laws.
Maurice is survived by his wife, Florence, his children, Danny Rimkus and wife, Nancy, Ginger Patterson, and husband, W. B., stepchildren, Ted Nevels and wife Cindy, and Sandra Nevels. He is also survived by his personal assistant, Raquel; grandchildren Brett Rimkus, Leslie Lonsdale, Ashley Gustowski, W. B. Patterson, IV, DVM, Jack Patterson, Marissa Guidry, Neil Nevels, Heath Nevels, and Chase Nevels; and 20 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind his beloved dog, Foxy.
He was a member of the Church of Christ and a Mason.
Pallbearers are Clint Meyer, Chase Nevels, Carl Muecke Jr., Jesus Moreno, Bruce Gilleland and Tommy Atkinson.
Serving as honorary pallbearers are Andy Anderson, Rodney Reagan, Dr. lsaac Sosa, Enrique Vasquez and Ben Harp.

Visitation

RushingEstesKnowles Mortuary
220 S. Getty St.
Uvalde, TX  78801
Thursday, September 21, 2017
11:00 a.m.

Service

Funeral Service

Baptist Temple Church
620 E. Main
Uvalde, TX  78801
Friday, September 22, 2017
1:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Concan Cemetery
North Hwy 127
Concan, TX  78838