George Thomas Lagleder was born on July 28, 1932, at his parents' home in San Antonio, Texas. He passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, at the age of 93, in his childhood home in La Coste, Texas.

George married Patricia Ann Poeck of Castroville on December 29, 1962. They were blessed with four children: Tom (Robert) of San Antonio, Adele Miller of La Coste, Kenneth Paul (Sonia) of La Coste, and Nancy (John) Phillips of Corpus Christi.  George and Patricia's family later grew with the addition of grandchildren: April Miller Villegas (Mario), Nathan Miller, Whitney Phillips Comer (David), Tiffany Phillips Hufford (David), Sierra Zavala, Bianca Zavala, and seven great grandchildren (plus one on the way), and numerous nieces and nephews. Surviving in-laws include Gary and Kathy Poeck of New Braunfels and Carol Poeck of Houston.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alvis and Mary Grohman Lagleder, brothers Raymond Lagleder Sr. (Mary), Louis Lagleder (Betsy), and in-laws Ovid and Edith Sewell Poeck and their two sons Kenneth and Melvin.

In 1943, George and his family relocated to La Coste after his father, Alvis Lagleder, obtained employment as a carpenter with Rio Vista Farms. George played football, basketball, and baseball for the La Coste High School Eagles and served as senior class president, graduating in 1950. He graduated from Draughon's Business College and worked at Kelly Air Force Base until the United States Army drafted him during the Korean War. George proudly served his country and was honored to receive three military promotions, to sergeant, after only 18 months of service.

After returning home from the Army, he enrolled at St. Mary's University in January 1955. He was a four-year starter for the Rattler baseball team, was team captain his senior year, and earned the reputation as a strong power hitter. Hap Morse, general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, offered George a handsome contract to play professional baseball; George chose to finish his college education instead, earning a BBA in accounting in 1958. He then played for Lone Star Brewery, V.J. Keefe, Pearl Brewery, and was a pitcher's nightmare for many years in the Highway 90 League playing for the La Coste Athletics. George was privileged to have been inducted into the St. Mary's University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.

George's teaching career began at the Keystone School in San Antonio. Then, in 1958, he started teaching at La Coste High School and continued to teach and coach in the newly consolidated Medina Valley High School. In 1962 he graduated from North Texas State University (UNT), earning a master's degree and the following year, having returned to UNT, he became one of the earliest certified driver education teachers in the state.  He taught at Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio from 1964-1966 after which he accepted an offer to become the first Business Education Consultant at the Texas Education Agency in Austin.

By 1970 George had completed most of the course requirements for a doctoral degree at the University of Texas at Austin, after which he changed career goals and began selling textbooks for South-Western Publishing Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. He made history becoming South-Western's first million-dollar sales rep. He retired from South-Western after 29 years. Thereafter, he joined Pearson Education as a sales consultant selling Career & Technology textbooks. This relationship continued for ten years.

George was elected mayor of La Coste, Texas three times (1984 to 1992), and worked diligently to maintain financial solvency for the city.

George loved life, his family, and his church, and enjoyed gardening, sports, and outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, traveling and coaching Little League baseball. His family appreciates the ways in which he instilled in them a strong work ethic, entertained them on camping trips, cross-country vacations and beach getaways. An unforgettable and adventurous trip he and Patricia took was to South Africa in 1984. They will fondly remember his strong faith, patriotism, long infectious laughs, wittiness, immense generosity, concern for their well-being, handy skills they were taught, the early driving lessons on family properties and bountiful gardens. He was a beacon of strong character, longevity, enjoyment of life and unwavering love.

Visitation will be on Monday, February 16, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home with the Holy Rosary recited at 5:30 p.m. The mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in La Coste, Texas. Interment with military honors will follow at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in George's memory to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com.