Women's Golf | 6/8/2017 12:30:00 PM

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Texas State University women's golf program is dedicating the 2017-18 season to former Texas State student Alex Funkhouser, a United States Army Captain killed on Memorial Day (May 29) 2006 of injuries sustained when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during reconnaissance patrol operations in Baghdad, Iraq.
 

The Bobcats will honor Funkhouser, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, through the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program and will raise monies throughout the season in support of his daughters', Kaitlyn and Allison, college expenses.
 
The Funkhouser family are true Bobcats as he and his wife Jennifer met on the San Marcos campus and their eldest daughter plans to follow in her father's footsteps by attending Texas State and enlisting in the Army.
 
"The Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program is a wonderful opportunity for our Texas State women's golf program to honor CPT Alex Funkhouser, a proud Texas State alum," said head women's golf coach Lisa Strom. 
 
"Through service to our country and by paying the ultimate sacrifice in preserving our freedoms, CPT Funkhouser reminds each of us that freedom is not free.  We would like to thank Alex's wife, Jennifer, their two daughters, Kaitlyn and Allison, for the allowing us to honor Alex throughout the 2017-18 season.  Carrying CPT Funkhouser's bag at each tournament will certainly be an honor for our student-athletes and provide them an opportunity to share his story with others."
 
"After my husband died, I made it my mission to make sure that Alex was never forgotten," said Jennifer Funkhouser. "It is easy for us to do inside of our home. There are pictures of him everywhere, he's talked about on almost a daily basis and I see him in almost everything my children do. But it is an extra ordinary feeling to know that there are still people out there that think of and remember my husband. There have been over 4,400 deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. They all had families, stories and names. Remembering them helps to keep their legacy alive."
 
Throughout the season the Bobcats' golf bag will carry Funkhouser's name and branch of service along with a story card that provides background information on the Texas State alum. FOLDS OF HONOR MILITARY TRIBUTE PROGRAM – CPT JAMES ALEXANDER "ALEX" FUNKHOUSER, JR.
 
Alex (as he was known by family and friends) was born in Okinawa, Japan while his dad was stationed there with the Army.

Alex and his parents Jim and Margaret moved to Anaheim, Calif. when Alex was two. While he lived in Anaheim, he was active in swimming and Little League. He loved to play "Army" with the other neighborhood kids. He also loved setting up his train set in the garage and having "train shows" for the neighborhood kids.

The family moved to Texas when Alex was 12 when Alex's Dad got a job transfer. Alex graduated from James E. Taylor High School in Katy, Texas in 1989. After high school, he went to college to obtain a wildlife management degree. He joined the Army in 1991 as an enlisted soldier. He accepted a Green to Gold Scholarship in 1997 and was commissioned as a Lieutenant on August 6, 1999 by his dad.

Alex married his beloved wife Jennifer on May 20, 2000. They were blessed with two daughters, Kaitlyn and Allison.

Alex was deployed with 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division to Iraq on December 9, 2005.

Alex was killed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2006 of injuries sustained when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during reconnaissance patrol operations.

Alex was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on June 9, 2006.

Alex was a great son, husband, father and friend. He had an infectious smile and a caring heart. He will be greatly missed by all of us.
 

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If interested in supporting the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program, please contact head women's golf coach Lisa Strom:
Texas State University
Department of Athletics
Darren B. Casey Athletic Administration Complex
601 University Drive
San Marcos Texas 78666
lisa.strom@txstate.edu
 
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