Freddy Eugene Paul Denke

Growing up Fred was an avid fisherman, hunter, mechanic and loved woodworking of all kinds. He was dedicated to his family and church and an avid reader interested in science, engineering, mechanics, aviation, and automobiles.

Fred attended both Riesel High School and later graduated Marlin High School in 1954. He attended Southern Methodist University, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1959.

After graduation began working as an electrical engineer at General Dynamics which later became Lockheed Aircraft. Fred was a wiring chief, and his work was instrumental in the B-36, the B-58, the F-111, the F-16 and the F-22, his last aviation project for the US Air Force.

Fred married Marjorie Ann Haug on May 24, 1958. They had grown up near one another in Falls County and both attended Perry Methodist Church. Fred and Marjorie had two children, Ronald Glenn Denke, born 1964, and Sandra Leigh Denke, born 1966. Fred now has three grandchildren: Cheyenne Noel Napkori, Jackson Monroe Denke, Winston Frederick Denke, Matthew Edward Yeandle and Michael Donald Yeandle. Fred also has two great-grandchildren, Marley Joan Yeandle and Scarlet Leigh Allen.

Fred was actively involved with the United Methodist Church Youth Programs, as well as with children’s sports. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers fan.

Other than family and church, Fred’s greatest passion was with woodworking and woodturning. When Fred retired from Lockheed Aircraft in 1998, he turned his attention fully to pursuing the hobby he’d always loved. He joined Wood Turners of North Texas and began exploring a hobby that consumed him which he absolutely loved. Fred had always been an avid hobbyist as a hunter, fisherman, beekeeper and, he’d restored several 1950’s vintage British sports cars. But other than his family, woodturning was a great passion. Over the years, Fred’s work and artistry become further refined and inspired. He won awards for his excellence in woodturning, which pushed him to reach even further with his artistry. Fred continued to create wooden works of art until his death.

Fred and Margie were married 65 years at the time of his death, and they were completely devoted to one another. Fred is survived by his son Ronald, daughter Sandra, his grandchildren Cheyenne, Jackson, Winston, Matthew, Michael and his great-grandchildren, Marley and Scarlet.