Jacques Gaston Duhr, (86), of Kerrville, passed away on September 16, 2026, in Kerrville.
Jacques and his twin sister Jacqueline were born to Gaston and Alvina Duhr on July 28, 1940, in Metz, France.
After high school in Metz, Jacques graduated as a chef from the Technical College of Hotel & Restaurant Business in Strasbourg, France.
He was drafted in the French Military Services in 1960 and served for 2 years until being honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant Major in defense against aircraft.
Jacques migrated to the United States and landed in Houston, Texas on April 5th, 1965, where he started working as a chef at The Warwick Hotel, then Tony’s restaurant.
Jacques and Nicole Belmond met in Houston and were married on January 31, 1966. They welcomed their daughter Natalie on April 27, 1971.
After a successful career as chef/owner of several restaurants in that city, the beautiful Hill Country beckoned and the family moved to Kerrville to open Hunter’s Lodge restaurant in 1981. The business was sold in 1994, and Jacques decided to retire by accepting to become the general manager of The Highlander, a small luxury retirement community, a position he kept for 14 years. For his second retirement, Jacques embraced voluntarism as a member of Rotary International, Kerrville Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, President of the Dietert Center Board of Directors, and received the Volunteer of the Year Award for 2016 from the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Jacques was preceded in death by his parents and older brother Robert Duhr.
Jacques is survived by his loving companion of 14 years Leigh Ann Fitzpatrick; Nicole Belmond Duhr, their daughter Natalie Secor and spouse Lee, grandchildren Kaitlyn and Cade Secor; sister Jacqueline Fourny, her husband Pierre, and many nieces and nephews of Metz, France.
No funeral services will be held, but a come and go Sharing of Memories and Celebration of Jacques will be held at the Dietert Center Grill on November 7, 2026 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.
Memorials may be given to the Meals on Wheels program of the Dietert Center or the charitable organization of your choice.