On the evening of March 18th, 2022; Freddie Mack Weatherly (Mr. Wonderful) of Lake Jackson, Texas passed away at the age of 80. Fred was able to make it to heaven just in time to celebrate his mother’s birthday with her, his dad, and his brother Mike.
Fred and Delores have two children, Michael Eric Weatherly (Linnea) and Tanya Weatherly Herford (Jamey). Grandchildren, Michael William Weatherly (Sabrina), Shawn Weatherly (Shelbi), Darren Lozano (Amy), Randy Herford, Dylan Lozano (Jennifer), Rusty Cooper (Katie).
Fred was blessed with great grandchildren who he was very proud of. Cody, Ty, Brayden, Carsyn and Reagan.
Fred is also survived by Sister-in-law Janie Weatherly, Sister-in-law Liz Stewart, Sister-in-Law Barbara Evans, Sister in Law Charlene Williams (Eddie), Brother-in-Law, Charles Kolojaco, Step-Brother, Billy Kemp (Denise) and so many special Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.
Fred was the first-born son of Edgar and Jeanette Weatherly. Born May 6th, 1941, in Garrison, TX.
Preceded in death by his parents Edgar Weatherly, Jeanette Weatherly Kemp, brother Michael Wayne Weatherly, Sr. and many special aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family he loved dearly.
Anyone that ever met our dad/Papaw/Husband knew him as “Mr. Wonderful”. Regardless of what kind of day he was having he always said he was doing Wonderful! He loved life and loved people. He had a kind heart and a spirt of grace.
Fred moved to Freeport, TX with his parents when he was just a toddler after his dad took a job with Dow Chemical in the early 1940’s. They started their time in Freeport in the old “Dow Camp” and eventually moved to West 9th Street where he lived until he graduated from Brazosport High School in 1959. While in High School Fred was Class President and Best Dressed and a friend to all. Fred also lost his dad when he was only 17 years old and quickly took on the role of “head of the house” helping his mom raise his little brother Mike, going to school, working two jobs, and never complaining about the responsibility he was given at such a young age.
Fred married his high school sweetheart, Delores Jane Kolojaco on February 27th, 1960, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Freeport. They just celebrated 62 years of marriage last month.
He attended The University of Houston after graduation. Fred worked at Sears while attending college in Houston and then spent a short time as an insurance salesman for Allstate in Conroe and then Taylor, TX.
Fred and Delores moved to Lake Jackson after Fred accepted a position with Dow Badische in June of 1967. While at Badische/BASF, Fred held many roles. He started as a Process Technician in the Utilities Department and progressed to Shift Supervisor and then Operations Supervisor over all of Utilities. Fred was then tasked with starting to develop work processes and procedures to ensure ISO compliance and developed some of the first ISO Quality documents for the BASF Freeport site. This led to a new career within BASF, in conjunction with Brazosport College, to the development of formal training classes for incoming Process Technicians. Fred took great pride in the work that he did in the HR/Training department and all of the great friends and students he met along the way. Fred had the privilege to work with his son, Michael Eric Weatherly, for 13 years. Mike also worked in utilities and was able to learn many great things from his dad. Fred retired from BASF after 30 years of service in 1997.
After a few months of sitting around the house, he decided he wanted to go back to work “for just a few more years”. He took on what he called “the perfect job” at AWC in Freeport where he worked for his daughter Tanya and with his Grandson Darren (Bo). He worked as the warehouse manager, delivery driver (donut delivery man), shop technician and full-time storyteller. His short “few years” turned in to 13 before declining health made him officially retire in 2010, at the age of 69.
Fred enjoyed reading, gardening, fishing, drinking coffee and discussing/cussing politics with his friends at Whataburger, talking on the phone and in early years going back to Garrison to visit his extended family and enjoy the family reunions with all of the wonderful East Texas food that he loved so much.
Our Dad never missed a day, if not sick, calling us to say, “I love you” and “be safe”. Those daily phone calls will be missed.
Our dad/papaw/husband was an avid reader and in lieu of flowers asks that you please donate to the Brazoria County Library, specifically to the Brazoria Branch. Fred was also very proud of his Catholic faith and would be happy if you donated to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Lake Jackson, TX.
Pallbearers will be Jamey Herford, Michael William Weatherly, Darren (Bo) Lozano, Randy Herford, Shawn Weatherly, and Michael Wayne Weatherly.
Honorary Pallbearers are his best friend, Ray Michalik. Bobby Atkins, Bob Chessar, David Cisneros, Rusty Cooper, Robert Danford, Neil Deacon, Jody Fairchild, James Helmes, Dale Hudson, Billy Kemp, Charles Kolojaco, Dylan Lozano, Henry Newman, Jim Saccomanno, Henry Schutze, George Turner, Eddie Williams
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 23 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Restwood Funeral Home 1038 W Plantation Dr, Clute, TX 77531. Funeral Services will be at St. Michael’s Catholic Church starting at 10:30am, 100 Oak Dr S, Lake Jackson, TX 77566, with a private graveside service for the family to follow. The church will be serving a meal at the hall immediately following the funeral and we invite all of you to attend to share stories and celebrate the life of this very special man.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.restwoodfuneralhome.com for the Weatherly family.
