Alfred Al Edward Fricke Jr.

Alfred Edward Fricke, Jr. or “Al” as most knew him went to heaven on Friday, May 10, 2013 at the age of 86. He was born in San Antonio, TX, on September 13, 1926 with parents Alfred Sr. and Irene Anita Hersch Fricke. Al was a German by heritage, a Catholic, a Native Texan, A Marine and last, but certainly not least, a Fighting Texas Aggie Class of ’51. He is preceded in death by his parents and by his mother-in-law Catheryn L. Burnett. He is survived by his loving wife and partner of 60 years, Evelyn Marie Adams Fricke; children: daughter Cheryl Fricke Earp and husband, Ken, of Round Rock, TX; son Al Fricke III and wife, Catherine, of New Braunfels; daughter Barbara Fricke Taylor and husband, Gary, of Lufkin, TX; and son Larry Fricke of New Braunfels; grandchildren : Jessica Taylor Lawless, Catheryn Taylor, Brenton Fricke and fiancée Theresa Ray, Tanner Fricke and girlfriend Sarah Bennett, Katie Robertson and husband Colby, Daniel Aguilar, David Aguilar, and Emily Aguilar Terrell and husband Joshua; and 5 great grand children. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Loyce McCormick and Vanessa Burnett and cousins Linnea Stiner Dunn and husband, Brian of San Antonio and their children Sarah Dunn and Justin Stiner and wife Erika. Angel Silva who began as Al’s employee became Al’s best friend and right-hand man for 35 years. Angel and wife Olga are a part of the Fricke family.

Al served in the Marines in World War II and was injured on the island of Okinawa. He spent nine months in the hospital healing and learning to walk again. He then attended Texas A&M University and received his degree in Industrial Education. His career included Safety Engineering in Houston, TX; project engineer at US Gypsum in New Braunfels; and purchasing agent at Structural Metals in Seguin. He purchased the old Schumann farm off Ferryboat Lane. Al and Eve moved from Houston to the New Braunfels farm in 1955 when he started work at US Gypsum. Starting in the early 60’s, Al built a couple of houses and then started remodeling old houses. In the early 70’s he started the Lakewood Shadows subdivision at the end of Zipp Lane and then built a number of duplexes in Shadow Park off old McQueeney Rd. Al provided homes and rental apartments for a lot of people in New Braunfels over many years.

Eve and Al enjoyed life and their many friends. They bowled for years at Mission Valley Bowling Club. For their 25th wedding anniversary, Eve told Al she wanted him to waltz with her. They took dancing lessons at Arthur Murray Dance Studio in San Antonio. After that, they became dance club members and you could see them dancing around New Braunfels. The Frickes were members of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and Al was a member of The Knights of Columbus. In recent years, Al and Eve attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

Al’s main objectives in life were to leave the world a little better because he had been there and to provide security for his family and he did them well. Growing up in the post- depression years, he never had a place he could call home. The farm and home Al provided produced wonderful memories for his family and many friends. He will not be forgotten. The words of Scripture, “Well done, good and faithful servant” are certainly the summary of his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled Veterans Association, the Comal County Aggie Club scholarship fund or The Wounded Warrior Project.

Special thanks go to Debby and Keith Taylor, close family friends, for coordinating home caregivers for Al and for the many hours and nights Debby spent by his bedside; nurses and doctors at Christus Santarosa particularly Dr. Warren Albrecht and surgeon Dr. Rossbach, and family doctor Dr. Bill Reeves.

Visitation will begin Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 5 pm at Zoeller Funeral Home. A rosary will be recited Tuesday evening at 7pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 9:30 am at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church with burial to follow in Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery.