Deacon Edward Francis Courtney
February 13, 1941 – July 3, 2026

Deacon Edward "Ed" Francis Courtney IV was called home to the Lord on July 3, 2026, at the age of 85. Ed leaves his beloved wife of 54 years Kathy Ann (Strawn) Courtney who was his soulmate, partner in business and the church, and devoted care giver.  Surrounded by family, he passed away peacefully and with tremendous grace, at his home in San Antonio, Texas.

Early Life and Education

Born on February 13, 1941, in St. Louis, Missouri, Ed was the third of four children born to Helen and Edward Courtney. After the loss of his father when he was just 11, Ed grew into a resilient young man who found joy in baseball, soccer, fishing, and music. He attended Christian Brothers College High School (CBC), which helped shape his deep Catholic faith.  During his youth, he worked as a golf caddy, which sparked a lifelong passion for the game, served as an usher at the Muni Opera House, played the trumpet in the CBC band and later St. Mary's University, and participated in the ROTC. During these formative years, he helped his mother, a real estate agent, hold open houses and go door to door to prospect for new listings, experiences that inspired his future career in the industry. After graduating from CBC, Ed moved to Texas to attend St. Mary's University under a full tuition music scholarship.  He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business and followed it with a master's degree in economics. Decades later, answering his deep spiritual calling, he pursued a master's degree in theology at the Oblate School of Theology.

A Distinguished Career

Following his graduation from St. Mary's, Ed embarked on a distinguished, 50-year career in finance and real estate. An entrepreneur at heart, he eventually established a successful real estate brokerage alongside his business partner and wife, Kathy. Together, they spent decades mentoring and developing countless agents across San Antonio. They also founded and operated a property management company that, at its peak, managed more than 100 properties.  The business achieved multiple accolades being named one of the top five sales brokerage in all of San Antonio for more than a decade.

A Life of Service

Ed's life was defined by his devotion to God, his parish, and his community. In addition to running and building his business, he was an active parish volunteer, lecturing during Mass, helping with festivals, and joining the Knights of Columbus. He was also a passionate leader in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) across St. Luke and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Churches in San Antonio. There he managed league operations, ran concessions, raised funds for field enhancements, coached young athletes, and founded the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) program at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Perhaps his most enduring legacy began in 1987, when Ed helped found the Adoration, Community, Theology and Service (A.C.T.S.) Retreat movement, inspired by the early Christian community described in Acts 2:42-47. Alongside fellow parishioners, Ed built a parish-based, self-regenerating retreat model run solely by parishioners for parishioners. His vision spread rapidly, and he expanded the retreat internationally, joining his niece, Dr. Helen Kornblum, and her organization Amiga, a nonprofit providing healthcare and health education in Honduras, to conduct the first international A.C.T.S. retreat.

During that trip, Dr. Kornblum recalled Ed walking up a hill with a large stick to carry out nearly 100 baptisms, children gathering behind him in awe. One asked, "Is that Moses?" and another said, "No, I think it's someone who works for Jesus."

From its humble beginnings in San Antonio, A.C.T.S. has spread across 22 U.S. states and internationally to Mexico, Canada, Honduras, South Africa, and England, touching more than one million lives.

Ed's lifetime of religious service culminated in 2004, when he was ordained as a Deacon. For a decade, he faithfully served Our Lady of Perpetual Help, administering countless baptisms, weddings, and funerals, while tenderly ministering to parishioners in their homes and hospitals.

A Bigger-Than-Life Family Man

Above all his achievements, Ed loved his family fiercely and was a loyal father and friend. His five children recall his childlike delight for life, unconditional support, and patient, non-judgmental presence. Known for creating loud, joyful family experiences, "Dad" was bigger than life. He coached all his children in baseball, where he claimed to have coined the phrase, "There is no crying in baseball."

He cherished family vacations to the Ozarks, the Colorado Rockies, Disney World, the Texas Coast, and the family lake house on Canyon Lake. He loved nothing more than pulling people together, whether hosting grand backyard barbecues, organizing a night out at Mi Tierra, or gathering the family to fish, play golf, or cheer on his favorite teams: the St. Louis Cardinals, San Antonio Spurs, and Notre Dame football.

He and Kathy opened their family home to anyone in need. For more than half their marriage, they provided emotional, financial and spiritual support to their aging parents, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. They also became foster parents through Catholic Charities, fostering 21 babies over the years and maintaining close relationships with most of them to this day.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife, Katherine Ann (Strawn) Courtney; his five children, Edward Philip Francis, Kenneth Joseph Francis, Matthew August Rodriguez, Merry Katherine Salinas, and Michael Weldon Courtney; his brother, John Courtney; eleven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a large, loving network of nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Edward Courtney, and his sisters, Marillyn Courtney Schaus and Helen Marie Courtney.

The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to staff at the Silvertree Nursing Home, the caring nurses and doctors at Northeast Methodist Hospital and the many parishioners, friends and family who came to visit and supported Ed with loving care during his final days.

Services and Memorial Contributions

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Celebration of Deacon Ed's life will be held at

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

16075 N Evans Rd, Selma, TX.

The schedule of services is as follows:

Viewing: 9:30 a.m.

Rosary: 10:30 a.m.

Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m.

A reception will immediately follow the Mass on the church grounds.

In lieu of flowers:

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Amiga organization to continue his legacy of faith and service.

You can give in many ways: go to www.hondurasamiga.org

mail a check to AMIGA, PO Box 220833, St. Louis MO 63122,

or click on the QR code below: