Barbara Donalson Althaus

Barbara Althaus died unexpectedly on March 2, 2023, due to complications from congestive heart failure.
She was a yellow dog Democrat whose flaming red hair, blue eyes, fiery personality, and passionate energy
never failed to make an indelible impression.

Born March 20, 1937, to Lucille Martin Donalson and Thomas Kyle Donalson in Fort Worth, Texas, Barbara
was the oldest of three children. Her childhood years were spent in Glen Rose, Bishop, and Austin, Texas.
Her father served as an Agricultural Extension Agent and later joined his brother in the dairy business in
Austin. While in high school in Bishop, Barbara played French horn in the marching band, became a class
favorite, and graduated in the “Top Ten.”

In the mid-1950s, Barbara spent two years at the University of Texas at Austin as a Pharmacy major on
scholarship, but left to marry James E. Willis, Jr. She was a loyal member of Alpha Phi sorority through the
years. When she became single again, she worked in the Texas House of Representatives for Harold Coley,
a Democrat from the Conroe area. By the 1960s, she was working in Houston as a secretary and office
manager, most notably for Herman Arthur (Buddy) Bornefeld, a life-long friend of George P. Mitchell and
member of the Mitchell Energy Board of Directors.

In 1969, marriage to Dudley Nolin Althaus broadened Barbara’s horizons for twenty-two years. During the
1970-80s, Barbara and Dudley worked together to make Althaus Acres a hub for real estate, auctions,
travel, and retail furniture sales in nearby Fredericksburg and Kerrville. They lived on the Charley (Carl)
Althaus heritage ranch near Willow City, Texas. As an active member of the local Daughters of the
American Revolution (DAR) chapter and other groups, she pursued her interest in genealogical research and
later served as DAR State Parliamentarian. Her enthusiasm for family history spilled over into research on
the Althaus family, as well as rehabilitation of the Althaus ranch’s abandoned rock/log house built nearly a
century earlier. In later years, she often marveled that she and Dudley traveled the world leading tour
groups of locals to destinations across Europe, Australia, Hawaii, and Asia. As Dudley’s auctioneering
business grew, Barbara travelled with him across the country for cattle, estate, and antique sales. When
the marriage ended in divorce, their decision not to raise a family haunted Barbara to the end of her days.

In the 1990s, Barbara began a new life in Kerrville where she was active at First United Methodist Church.
She married James Arthur Cade, Sr. for a few months in 1993. She researched the history of Kyle, Texas,
particularly the 1850 Claiborne Kyle Log House, home of her forebearers from Tennessee. By 1997, she
was living in Bryan with assistance from her brother to complete research on the life of their cousin, Edwin
Jackson Kyle, for whom Kyle Field at Texas A&M University is named. In 2007, the Association of Former
Students recognized Professor Kyle with a Distinguished Alumnus Award due to Barbara’s research and
tenacity. She organized a grand Kyle family reunion at the Alumni Center in celebration. In 2011, Barbara’s
proudest achievement came to fruition in her book, Kyle Tough: The Saga of Texas A&M’s Rise to Power in Athletics and Agriculture, 1902-1956 which she tirelessly promoted through personal appearances. During this time, she served on the Brazos County Historical Commission with a special interest in El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. She continued her genealogical work, became a Master Gardener, enjoyed good times with friends, and treasured her next-door neighbors, Peggy and Jay Page. Despite her final years living alone, she felt “free as a bird,” amazed at living another day basking in sunshine as she tended her front yard.

Barbara is survived by her brother, Thomas Donalson, and wife Eva, of Sugar Land, Texas and her niece,
Celeste Coppinger Carlton of Georgetown, Texas. She was predeceased by her parents and younger sister,
Frances Coppinger Philpott.

No services are planned, but donations may be made in her memory to:
Hospice Brazos Valley (https://www.hospicebrazosvalley.org/) or a charity of your choice.