That note, taped to the fence at the burned remnants of the Ingenhuett Store, announced the death Wednesday of its owner, Gregory J. Krauter, 57.

Krauter, renowned for his knowledge of this Hill Country town, which his ancestors helped settle in 1854, took his own life, suffering debilitating pain after having a tumor removed in 2006.

News of his death shocked locals even more than the March 10, 2006, fire that destroyed the 140-year-old general store, the oldest in continuous operation in Texas.

Krauter led efforts to renovate the Treue Der Union Monument that honors locals killed in 1862 by Confederate troops after they refused to support secession.

"If you wanted to know anything about Comfort, he knew it," resident Brigette Stapp said.

Backaches and migraines after the surgery at times left Krauter unable to read or write, two of his favorite pastimes.

James Krauter, Gregory's father, said services will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 20, at Schaetter's Funeral Home, 554 Roosevelt Ave., Comfort.

This article first appeared Saturday in the San Antonio Express-News