June 20

June 20, 2007

Kathleen Cailloux Dies at 92

By Marcus Funk

KERRVILLE—Kathleen C. Cailloux, philanthropist and beloved mother, passed away Saturday at the age of 92. Cailloux leaves behind a long list of local charities and a legacy of kindness and compassion, as well as a number of grateful beneficiaries.

“Without her, we would not be where we are,” said Penny Bowman, president of the Kathleen C. Cailloux Humane Society of Kerrville. “Ms. Cailloux and her family bought the land and gave us the money for a new shelter.”

Cailloux passed just two days before the fifth anniversary of the Humane Society’s dedication, and workers said they are very grateful for her contributions. Friends and family said Cailloux was best known for her compassionate and giving nature, as well as her fondness for children and animals, especially Dobermans. When Kathleen was smiling, as she so often did, she brightened up the whole room.

“Mrs. Cailloux was always a happy spirit. Her smile was pervasive, and she was a lady — a good Southern lady,” said friend Gloria Dorothy. “People like that are totally unselfish. I don’t think Mrs. Cailloux had a selfish bone in her body.”

Cailloux also leaves behind the Floyd A. and Kathleen C. Cailloux Foundation, which she co-founded with her husband Floyd in 1994. Together, they supported a number of local charities and organizations. They donated thousands to Schreiner University, and built two extensive halls on the campus grounds. Cailloux and her foundation also built the Kathleen C. Cailloux Center for the Performing Arts, the Cailloux Charter School at the Hill Country Youth Ranch and contributed to a wide variety of non-profit organizations throughout Kerr County.

“Ms. Kathleen and her family have made sure Kerrville has an extremely elegant and fantastic performing arts center that most places as small as Kerrville could not afford,” said Jeff Cunningham, facilities manager of the Kathleen C. Cailloux Center for the Performing Arts. “We are extremely blessed.”

Friends and family said Cailloux will be missed, but her contributions to the community ensure that her spirit of giving will live on for many years to come.

“We’re going to miss her, but we’ll be thinking about her whenever we visit the schools or the theater,” said 216 District Court Judge Stephen B. Ables, a friend of the Caillouxes. “She’s left quite a legacy for this town.”

The Cailloux family encouraged donations to local charities Kathleen Cailloux supported, and invited anyone to send condolences through the Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville by visiting their Web site, www.grimesfuneralchapels.com, and selecting the “Send Condolences” link.

“She was an extremely benevolent, caring individual. She loved kids and animals, and cared about people,” said Kathleen Cailloux’s son, Ken Cailloux. “She was the perfect mother, and I’ll miss her until the day I die.”n