George W. Offenhauser, Sr.

George W. Offenhauser, Sr. was born February 22, 1924, in Alhambra, CA. He was the second of three sons to Frank Offenhauser and Antionette Marie Maupas Offenhauser. At the age of 16, he took a bus to Houston to work for his uncle at the A. J. Bayer Co., which became the Offenhauser Co. When Pearl Harbor was bombed, he was only 17 years old but his father would not sign for him to join the military until he finished high school. In 1942 after graduation, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy under the Merchant Marine program. He sailed in the Pacific Theater from 1943 to 1946. During those years, he received a Certificate of Service to Able Seaman, Certificate of Tankerman, Master’s Certificate of Service of Sick or Injured Seaman and Certificate of Efficiency to Lifeboat Man.

Dad received the following decorations for service recognitions: Victory Medal, Pacific War Zone, Honorable Service Button, Merchant Marine Emblem, Presidential Testimonial Letter signed by President Harry S. Truman (“Uncle Harry”), Convoy Cup Medallion in recognition of service in the U.S. Merchant Marines during WW II from the Convoy Cup Foundation of Norway, the Congressional Gold Medal for WW II Merchant Mariners and a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from U. S. Congressman Randy Weber in recognition of his 99th birthday in February, 2023.

Dad married his high school sweetheart, Rosalie Helen Wald, while on leave from the military on August 22, 1943. They were married for 73 ½ years, until she passed away in January, 2017. They had four children: daughter Rosalie, son Steven (passed May 15, 2021), son George, Jr. and daughter Lynette. He is also survived by his son-in-law Vance W. Murphy, DVM and daughter-in-law Colleen H. Offenhauser. He has five grand-children: Trenton V. Murphy, DVM, and wife Trisha, Clayton W. Murphy and wife Iliana, Jason L. Murphy and wife Darlene, MD, Sheri L. Offenhauser and Rachel C. Harless and husband Bobby. Dad has seven great-grand-children: Manon, Garrett, Benjamin, Victoria, Layla, Kadin Murphy and Daxton Offenhauser-Driscoll and another on the way. He was so proud of them all.

He and Rosalie moved to Friendswood, TX, in 1965 where he lived until his passing. He spent 62 years at the Offenhauser Co. — starting in the shop straightening re-bar and retired as Executive Vice-President.

Dad and Mom traveled around the world, enjoyed water skiing in their earlier years and snow skiing in Steamboat, CO, in their later years. His family has described him as a role model, encourager, generous, considerate, loved his “fur baby”, Zoey, and the wild ducks, golfer (hit a hole-in-one) always gave us a good laugh and devoted to his family and friends. The world has lost another loved, respected and wonderful husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa of the “Greatest Generation”.

Pallbearers are Trenton V. Murphy, DVM, Clayton W. Murphy, Jason L. Murphy, Benjamin V. Murphy, Garrett C. Murphy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy Cadet 4/c Manon I. Murphy. Honorary pallbearers are Kadin G. and Layla E. Murphy, Victoria E. Murphy Daxton Offenhauser-Driscoll.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to: Mary Queen Catholic Church, 606 Cedarwood Dr.. Friendswood, TX. 77546 in remembrance of George W. Offenhauser, Sr., He and mom were among the founding families of the parish. Thank you.

A visitation for George will be held Friday, August 25, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Mary Queen Catholic Church, 606 Cedarwood st, Friendswood, TX 77546.

A funeral mass will occur Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM, 606 Cedarwood St, Friendswood, TX 775456.

A graveside service will occur Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 11:30 AM at Forest Park East Cemetery, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, TX 77598.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkEast-FHC.com for the Offenhauser, family.