Roy Erwin Binz, who entertained as Coco the Clown for 56 years, passed away in Cuero, Texas on January 1, 2013 after a brief illness. He was 90, and he lived a long, productive, happy life. He was pleased to be able to live at home and take care of himself until the end of his life. Roy was born in Cuero on January 12, 1922 to Malanie Boldt Binz and Otto Erwin Binz. He married Clara Mae Wagenschein on January 12, 1947 and was married to her for 62 years, until her death in 2009.

Roy worked as production superintendent for Cuero Coca-Cola Bottling Company until his retirement in 1986. Roy created "Coco the Clown" for the 1956 Turkey Trot Parade, and he continued to clown for 56 years. He loved being a clown, talking about clowning and handing out photos of Coco the Clown. He never missed a Cuero Turkey Trot parade or a Turkeyfest parade from 1956 to 2012; he was the 2004 Turkeyfest Parade Marshall. He clowned at Yorktown Western Days parades, TomTom parades in Yoakum, Hallettsville Youth Rodeo parades, and parades in Goliad and Victoria. He always danced with bands, twirling his broom to the music, and he shook as many hands as he could. Roy graduated from Cuero High School in 1940. He attended Draughn's Business College in San Antonio. He volunteered for the draft and served in the U.S. Army Air Force as Staff Sergeant overseas in World War II. He was stationed in France and visited Belgium and Switzerland. He was honorably discharged in 1946 after 38 months and 17 days in the service. He was awarded the European Medal and Victory Medal. After the war, Roy was second lieutenant in the Cuero Civil Air Patrol. He took young men and showed them what the Air Force was all about, to encourage them to join the military after high school. Service to his community was important to Roy. A member of the Cuero Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years, Roy served as training officer and third assistant chief. Dressed as Coco the Clown, he taught fire prevention to children at Guadalupe Valley Firemen and Fire Marshall's Association conventions for many years. Roy was given lifetime membership in the association in appreciation of the many years that he taught fire prevention at their conventions and in Cuero schools. Roy served as commander of the Cuero American Legion Dinter Post #3. He was a patriot who flew his American flag daily and a Christian who prayed nightly for his family and for the safe return of the service men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. Roy also served as president of Cuero Hermann Sons Lodge #17 for many years and attended meetings as often as possible. Roy was president and director of the DeWitt County Pecan Growers' Association. He raised pecans and shelled hundreds of pounds some years. Even this year, he shelled around 25 pounds of pecans for Christmas presents using his magnifying glass. Roy worked with the Cuero Museum and was docent for tours of La Salle's ship that was recovered in the Gulf of Mexico. He used tape to create the outline of the ship on the sidewalk so visitors could experience the small size of the ship. Roy ran the Cuero Farmers' Market from 1987 through 2010. He enjoyed gardening and took pride in the quality of produce that he raised. He provided fresh vegetables for family and friends and sold produce at the Farmers' Market. He liked providing red bell peppers for Laney Rickman's special birds. After he retired in 1986, Roy began cooking just for pleasure. When his wife's health declined, he began cooking all of their meals. Every Christmas, he made cookies for family, friends, and neighbors. Even this year, he baked five different batches. He also made his famous "Texas Trash" Chex mix and seasoned beef jerky that his grandkids loved.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Clara Mae Binz, his son, Roy E. Binz, Jr., his parents, and his only sibling, Milton L. Binz and his wife, Margaret.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dwight and Grace Binz of Cuero and his daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Carl Edwards of Round Rock. His grandchildren are Shane Ressman and his wife, Amy, of Katy, Michelle Enterline and her husband, Cameron, of Magnolia, Daniel Binz and his wife, Lindsay of Edmond, OK, Courtney Edwards of Austin, and Cody Edwards of Bryan. His great-granddaughters are Brynna and Sydney Enterline. He is also survived by his wife's siblings and their spouses, Viola and Leo Ehlinger of San Antonio, Mary Alice Wagenschein of Waco, Frieda Buelter of Yorktown, Erna and G.G. Mueller of Sugarland, and Victor and Judy Wagenschein of Yorktown. His extended family included numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 2, 2013 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 3, 2013, 2:00 p.m., at Freund Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will immediately follow at Hillside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers and so that the community would benefit, Roy requested that memorials be made to Cuero Volunteer Fire Department, 219 E. Main St., Cuero, TX 77954.

Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.