Mr. Radenz

Retired Lt. Col. Blaine Thomas Radenz, 54, died in his Kempner home on March 5, 2024.

He served in the United States Army for over 20 years and was a combat veteran of the Iraq War, having served two combat tours in Iraq – one tour with the 502nd Personnel Service Battalion at Camp Liberty, and another tour with the 41st Fires Brigade at Camp Delta, earning two Bronze Stars and Meritorious Service Medals. He also was awarded the Adjunct General Horatio Gates Bronze Medal and the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara Medal.

After his return from deployment in Iraq, he served soldiers and civilians as an Adjunct General officer at Fort Cavazos and later as III Corps Sexual Harrasment/ Assault Response Coordinator, Victim Advocate and Instructor.

Blaine was born on May 10, 1969, in Fort Worth to Joe and Patsy (Brown) Radenz, the eldest of three children.

He attended Howard Payne University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1992. He attended ROTC at Hardin Simmons University, where he was commissioned second lieutenant in May 1992. While in college, Blaine played volleyball and served on the HPU Supreme Court. He made many lifelong friends while in college. His kind heart meant he never met a stranger, and people felt welcome in his presence.

Following his retirement in 2011, Blaine continued to serve soldiers as the U.S. Army Operational Test Command G1, Ready and Resilient Program Coordinator at Fort Cavazos. This is where he shared his own story of loss in the hopes of saving others.

Blaine was a member of the Copperas Cove Moose Lodge, Legion #97 where he served as treasurer as well as the adult chairman, fundraising for local area scholarships, and the Kempner VFW Post 3393 where he was a member of two pool leagues.

On Aug. 22, 1992, he married Tricia Sparks.

Nothing made him happier than time spent with his sons Zach, James and Daniel. They loved fishing, camping or hunting on the family land where he will rest eternally next to his son, Daniel. The best days of his life were spent with family with either a fishing pole in hand with his father or floating down the Frio River. He also enjoyed riding go-carts.

Blaine was an avid reader who inherited his love of books from his mother. He was competitive in family games and was a highly sought-after partner in 42 of which he was a master.

He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel; grandparents Joe Gus and Ella Marie Radenz, Ruby Stice and Alton C. Brown.

Survivors include his sons Zachary Radenz (Madison) and James Radenz (Sarah); grandson Malakai; parents, Joe and Patsy Radenz; sisters Kimberly Bosher-Hatfield (Brandon) and Danielle Sibley; brother, Jonathan Radenz; former wife, Tricia Sparks of 23 years; fatherin- law, James W. Sparks (Paula); girlfriend, April Balli; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, greatnephews and cousins.

The family will receive guests March 13 from 6-8 p.m. at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel in Lampasas.

Funeral service will be March 14 at 11 a.m. at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Howard Cemetery in Desdemona, Texas.

Donations may be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Central Texas Chapter (https://afsp.org/ chapter/central-texas) in memory of his son Daniel.