Karen Birdwell
January 27, 1935 — January 11, 2012
On Wednesday, January 11th, 2012 Karen Lou Birdwell left this physical world to be with her Lord and Savior after a long and valiant struggle, and to join her husband, Robert A. Birdwell. Born in Weatherford, Oklahoma on January 27th, 1935, Karen was raised in Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma as her father pursued a coaching and education-related career. Graduating as Salutatorian from Carnegie High School in Carnegie, Oklahoma, Karen went on to college at Oklahoma A& M University, now Oklahoma State. It was during this time she met her future husband, Robert Adrian, who was already a young officer in the US Air Force. After marrying on June 20th, 1954, they resided in Houston, where Karen finished her degree in Education at the University of Houston. During the period of 1957 and until the 1970s, Karen and the growing family accompanied Robert Adrian in tours in Harlingen, TX, Chanute AFB, IL and later in San Antonio at Randolph AFB. In between these assignments, Karen managed the household while Robert was on unaccompanied tours in Saudi Arabia and Alaska, and this continued while Robert served on the Inspector general team from Randolph for six years. Words cannot express the appreciation and respect her family will always hold for the efforts Karen made in raising her family while her husband served his country. Karen loved life and enjoyed her family. Her interests in bowling, reading, watching her children and grandchildren mature and enjoying her good friends resulted in moments she cherished and were those things which people cherished in her. Karen is survived by her son, Robert Edwin Birdwell and his fianc Lougenia Johnston, her son Gary Edward Birdwell and his wife Diane, daughter Nancy Luanne Lombard, grandchildren Scott Birdwell, Matthew Birdwell, Shelby Birdwell, Kaylen Birdwell, Ally Birdwell and Nicholas Lombard. Karens family wants to make mention of special people in Karens life, notably her good friends of Mel Butzirus and Nancy Kaye Hurt. Special thanks also go to the caregivers from Griswold Special Care who helped Karen in her daily struggles and lifted her spirits. They are Jeanette Brown, Beverly Belcher, Luz Kusey, Sonia Rodriguez and Elizabeth Walton. The Family will receive friends on Saturday, January 14, 2012, from 9:00AM until 11:00AM, at Schertz Funeral Home Chapel, with a celebration of Karens life set to begin @ 11:00AM. Interment will follow @ Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Lung Association or the charity of your cholce.
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