Ave Et Vale From the San Marcos Daily Record (TX) - Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Raymond Leon "Lee" Schroeder passed away Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 at the age of 75. Born in Albion, Ill., in 1938, Lee grew up in Illinois. After graduating from the University of Illinois, he joined the Army. After his many years of service, which included a tour in Viet Nam, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Upon retirement in the 1980s, Lee moved with his wife and their family to San Marcos where he was a stockbroker until he retired last year from Raymond James. This past summer Lee and his wife celebrated 50 years of marriage. A guiding principle in Lee's life was to give back to the community. He believed that one should not only be aware of community issues but to become involved to make a difference. In the early 1980s Lee was a founding organizer of the Hays County Republican Party to which he dedicated invaluable time and effort over the years. The environment and the beautification of San Marcos were also primary interests for Lee. Besides being involved in planting numerous trees in public areas, the Iris Garden at the San Marcos Visitors' Center was in large part his idea for which he helped to secure funding. Over the years his wife has been dedicated to sustaining and developing it to the visitors' delight that it is today. Lee is survived by his loving wife and by her family and friends; his son and daughter and her three children. Also surviving are his mother and his sister, his brother; and many family friends. His children remember him as a loving and caring father who was very well read and always ready and able to answer the numerous questions that they had. Fort Sam Houston will accept his ashes for burial with full military honors in February. Memorial contributions can be made to Gary Job Corps here in San Marcos.