Allen Stolz

Allen R. Stolz was born 8-2-1949 in Fort Worth, TX.  A few days later Henry and Lenora went to get him and bring him to his forever home in Burton.  Like many boys growing up on farms in the 50’s, days were filled with tending animals, working the fields, chopping or picking cotton, cutting corn tops, beef club once a month, butchering hogs in the winter or chickens when fried chicken was on the menu.  Weekends however, were filled with relatives, fresh food prepared by loving family and so many cousins to play with.

Allen went to St. John's UCC where he was baptized and confirmed.  His school years were spent in Burton.  He was president of both his Junior and Senior class and lettered in both football and basketball.  He loved his friends and having fun.  Allen owned a Royal Plum ‘67 Chevelle which he raced occasionally in Temple, and oftentimes illegally on the back roads of Washington County.  He often spoke of that car, how fast it was and how he wished he had it today.

After graduation he went to work for Perry Brother’s Variety store.  That job took him to Wharton, Texas where he met Mary Sklar, and they married June 23, 1974.  His job moved him to Tomball, Yorktown, Cuero and back to Tomball.  By this time the couple of 2 had grown to a family of 4 and at the end of 1990 he and Mary bought Plants ‘N Things. In 1992 Allen moved his family back to Washington County.  He loved his business and worked long hours making sure it was a success.  In 2002 he moved the business to the current location on HWY 36 S.  What a year that was, opening a new business location and marrying off his daughter to a young man who would become a “son” not just an inlaw.  But as life does, it took a tragic turn when his son was killed in an auto accident at the beginning of 2003.  Living from that point on changed somehow.  Not quite as easy or carefree, but as it does, it goes on.  Before long, he had 2 wonderful granddaughters to fill some of that space in his heart.

Allen owned Plants ‘N Things from 1990 until he completely retired in 2017.  Plants ‘N Things was not who he was, but what he did.  Who he was, was a dad who played baseball with his kids on his lunch hour, took a van full of 12-13 year old boys to Houston and Austin for weekends of hoop-it-up tournaments, helped his neighbors when they needed a hand, and killed the occasional chicken snake when necessary.  He loved people and was always ready to have a cold one one a hot day, or not so hot day.  Allen loved his yard, his garden, and riding on his John Deere drinking a Coors.  It was his piece of heaven on earth.  He was great at barbequing and did it often.  He loved vanilla ice cream, fried chicken with all the fixings on Sundays, and he could devour a bag of Hersey’s.  His was a life well spent.  He was no saint and he had faults, but he was loved by his family and friends.  He will be greatly missed and remembered.

Allen leaves behind, to miss him, his wife of 46 years, Mary, and daughter and son-in-law Kim and Scott Applewhite.  Granddaughters Avery and Autumn Applewhite.  Sister and brother-in-laws, Dotty and Mark McBurnett of Seguin, Joyce and Bill Klopsteck of East Bernard and sister-in-law Karen Wiseman of Huffman.  As well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Standing to greet him at heaven’s gate was his savior Jesus Christ, his son Wade Stolz, his parents Henry and Lenora Stolz, father and mother-in-law Charlie and Carolyn Sklar, brothers-in-law Chuck Sklar and Clint Wiseman and many friends who went before him.

Visitation will be held from noon to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12 at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. prior to the funeral service. The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 13 at Christ Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church 1104 Carlee Dr Brenham, TX 77833, Hospice of Brazos Valley 302 Blue Bell Rd Brenham, TX 77833, or Washington County EMS 1875 HWY 290 W Brenham, TX 77833.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, TX 77833.