Victor Karl “Ickey” Schroeder Sr., 83, died Wednesday, February 10, 2016, at his home in Nome, Texas. He was born on August 30, 1932, to Erna Meissner Schroeder and Ferdinand William “Dutch” Schroeder, Sr., in Beaumont.

Ickey was raised in Amelia, Texas, where he completed grade school. They later moved to China, Texas, where he graduated from China Independent School District.  Ickey met Edithe around the time he finished high school. They married on December 20, 1952, and resided in China. Ickey was drafted into the United States Army in 1953, and was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, until 1955.  Punkee was born on April 15, 1955, and Black, shortly thereafter, on June 11, 1956. Ickey worked for The Texas Company at this time, aka Texaco, for approximately twenty years.  He retired in the mid 70’s due to a back injury. 

Ickey was a true blue cowboy. He had a love for livestock, especially cattle. He spent the next years of his life tending to cattle of his own, and to those of others.  Punkee and Black became interested in rodeo in the 70’s, and by the late 70’s Ickey and Edithe began producing rodeos of their own, under the name Triple “S” Rodeo Company.  Ickey owned bucking bulls and bucking horses, that he was very proud of and loved as much as life.  Rodeo became a family tradition for them, and they continued to produce rodeos until 1998, with much help from family and friends.

Ickey had two grandchildren; Nikki was born in August of 1979, and Beau, eight years later.  Ickey was a family man.  He loved his grandchildren with everything that he had.  He often took them to the pasture to feed, taught them how to ride horses and tend to cattle. Ickey started both of them in the cow business at a very early age, which put them through college, and still provides for them to this day. 

He also spent a lot of time with his brothers and sister, which he loved dearly.  As many would say, he and his siblings were a breed of their own. They had a love for life, and a love for people.  Ickey was a character, to say the least.  He was tough as boot leather, stubborn as the day is long, and had a heart of gold.  Ickey never met a stranger, and touched many many lives. 

He had a love for animals, outside of rodeo.  Ickey had a zoo with wild coyotes, birds, pot belly pigs, bob cats, and deer. He raised chickens, geese, turkey, and peacocks and a variety other animals.  In the 80’s, he caught a baby bobcat for Nikki, and raised it in the house as a housecat.   He and Edithe raised raccoons, squirrels, and even had a monkey or two.  Ickey always had a dog, and at times had twenty or thirty of them.  He had cur dogs, Airedales, and bull dogs, and every other breed imaginable.

During the last few years of his life, he mainly raised cattle and a few bucking bulls.  He also had a bull dog named, Dog, that made every step with him, and was his best friend.  Ickey spent his days at the pasture and at home feeding and haying.  In 2014, Ickey found out that his throat cancer had returned, and in August of 2015, found out that he was terminal.  He continued to live his life and tended to his animals. Ickey spent time in his yard, growing plants, cactus, and flowers, and even grew tomatoes, squash, and peppers. He spent his final days at home, on Rodeo Drive, with his two boys and their wives, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many of his closest family and friends.  He will be greatly missed by those closest to him, but never ever forgotten.

Survivors include his sons, Punkee Schroeder and his wife, Debbie, of Nome and Black Schroeder and his wife, Tuffy, of Beaumont; grandchildren, Nikki Schroeder, of Nome and Beau Schroeder, of China; great-grandchildren, Ellee Duke and Wyatt Schroeder; sister, Alena Schroeder, of Beaumont; best friend, Jimbo Dunnagan, of Nome.

Ickey is preceded in death by his wife, Edithe Schroeder; brothers, Bootsie Schroeder, Sugum Schroeder, Johnny Schroeder, and Marvin Schroeder.

A gathering of Mr. Schroeder's family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m., Monday, February 15, 2016, at Broussard's, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at Broussard's, with interment to follow at China Cemetery, China. John Brett, John Linscomb, John Myers, Robert Ogden, Brad Honea, and Kerry Abney will serve as pallbearers. Ickey wanted all of his nephews to serve as honorary pallbearers because he loved each of them very much. Serving will be Ronnie Schroeder, Donnie Schroeder, Robbie Schroeder, Tommy Schroeder, Bill Schroeder, Bubba Schroeder, Tuffy Schroeder, Paul Schroeder, and Ricky Schroeder.

The family would like for everyone to join them for a reception at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 245 West Highway 90, China, following the service at the cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Altar Society, P.O. Box 38, China, Texas 77613.