John Christopher Waples of New Braunfels passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026, at the age of 85.

Chris was born in Hinsdale, Illinois, and his family moved to San Antonio when he was young. He graduated from Alamo Heights High School, received his BS and MBA from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), and served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Chris received his CPA certification and worked for over 30 years as financial director for Barrett Brothers Oil & Gas in San Antonio.

In 1960, while working as a photographer at a photo studio in North Star Mall, Chris met Rachel Carmichael, who was a cashier at the mall's Hallmark store. He spent the next few months pretending he needed greeting cards and stationery. The two were wed on March 25, 1967, and enjoyed nearly 59 years of devoted matrimony. They traveled the world, often with friends and family–including road trips across the country, cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean, and vacations in Asia, Egypt, Israel, and all over Europe. He often took his family snow skiing, even though he didn't enjoy skiing himself–but he did like waiting by the lodge fireplace with a hot toddy or a nice scotch.

Chris loved a good meal and a good laugh. He and Rachel played league tennis for many years, and in his later years he took up walking. He was very active with Christ Our King church and the community at the Pinnacle at EdenHill. Chris was an excellent photographer and chef, a World War II history buff, a fan of classic British comedy, a skilled crossword and sudoku solver, a snazzy dresser, and a loving husband, father, brother, and friend.

He is deeply missed and survived by his wife Rachel, his son John Waples, Jr., of Austin; his daughter Karla Waples (Chris Silman) of Austin; his brother Ed Waples of New Braunfels; his sister Pat Holt of Sonora, CA; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 5, at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Our King Anglican Church in New Braunfels.

In lieu of sending flowers, donations may be made to Christ Our King Anglican Church. The family thanks EdenHill's Memory Care and Hospice teams for their compassionate service to our beloved Chris.

Please sign the guestbook at www.doeppenschmidtfuneralhome.com