George E. Light, III

George Emmett Light III passed away peacefully at home July 24, 2026 at the age of 97. He was born in Dallas on May 14, 1929 to George Emmett Light Jr and Sarah Leverett Light, but grew up on the family ranch outside of Artesia Wells. His childhood was far from ordinary, even by the standards of the Great Depression. He was expected to work horseback from a young age, just like the rest of the men. He soon graduated from his paint pony to a thoroughbred purchased from the US Army Remount Service. "He was hard mouthed and it took him half a mile to turn around, but he had good feet and could go all day."

At the age of 13, George and his younger brother Scotty were sent to Kansas City for the summer by their father to work at the stockyards. Too young to drive, they took a taxi to and from work each day, arriving back at the Hotel Muehlebach, smiling as they marched through the lobby caked in dust, sweat, and other pleasant substances. In this fire was forged his enduring love of the cattle business.

George attended school in Cotulla, where in high school he met Billie Rae Bilbo, the woman with whom he would go on to spend 68 years. After graduating, he briefly attended Texas A&M. While in the Corp, an exasperated drill instructor could not get him to keep time with the rest of his squad, so he gave up and ordered the rest of them to keep time with Private Light. "At that point I knew they'd make me a general!"

It was agreed by all parties that his contribution to the nation's fight against global communism would best be made on the home front, and so he transferred to Texas A&I and then returned to the Light Ranch to begin his career in earnest. He started Light Cattle Company, which he later operated with his sons. George ran cattle in Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. He famously spent months clearing the Dobie Ranch of the wild cattle that had been running feral for almost a decade. George was instrumental in the effort to control fever ticks in Texas and was also a past president of the Livestock Marketing Association.

One of the few things that could pull George away from business was hunting. He shot his first buck for Thanksgiving dinner at the age of 7. After that it was off the races. In the years before high fences and protein feed he held the distinction of having the most whitetail in the Boone and Crockett record book. Countless guests came to the ranch to hunt with him. Most left with trophies, but all left with stories.

Rodeo was another lifelong passion. As a supporter of the Texas Youth Rodeo Association, he watched and encouraged his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as they competed. George was a member of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition for over 70 years. He sat on the executive committee and would spend most of every February at the rodeo grounds keeping things running smoothly. Even after retiring from active participation, he was loathed to miss a performance, and went so far as to bring his own chair in later years to accommodate his bad knees.

But his proudest achievement was his family. On April 8, 1950 he married Billie Rae. A year later they welcomed their first child, George Emmett Light IV (Cuatro), a year after that came Gary (Bubba), and finally Sarah. He worked hard to provide for his family, and to give them everything he could. This included building a pool at their house in Cotulla. He may have later come to regret this decision when informed of his sons' idea to jump into it from the roof, by way of the trampoline. He and Billie Rae watched their family grow as children got married and had children of their own. He was the proud grandfather of seven, and great grandfather of fifteen.

George had an effect on nearly everyone with whom he came into contact. To many he was a friend, to others he was like a second father. And to some he was a larger than life hero.

His final words were to his live-in caretakers. "Muchas Gracias."  A gracious gentleman to the end. Now it is our turn: thank you for everything Papa.

There will be a private interment, with details for the memorial service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Church of Cotulla, or the charity of one's choice.