August "Augie" Charles Bering IV

He was the loving husband and best friend of Bonnie Floyd Bering, the devoted father of Augie Bering V (wife Mia) and Heather Mafrige (husband Steven), and was the proud grandfather of Michah, Weston & Bridget Bering, and Kaitlyn and Steven Mafrige.

Augie was born in Houston on the 10th of August 1942 to Lottie and August Bering III. He attended Lamar High School and graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, Florida. Following high school, he attended Texas A&M University and marched in the Inaugurate Parade for John F. Kennedy with the Wainwright Rifle Drill Team from Tarlton State University.

In the 1960’s Augie joined the Marine’s and did his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, a state that he hoped never to return to until he met Bonnie on a blind date in Houston. In 1968, right out of the Marine Corp, Augie and Bonnie were married in Greenville, South Carolina. It was a match made in Heaven and little did he know at the time, he would have a golf partner for life. Bonnie’s family loved Augie dearly and every year they had a wonderful tradition of spending time together on the beach at Pawley’s Island, South Carolina with his children, Bonnie’s mother and dad, her sister Nancy, and husband Peter and their children Noel and Derrick Stipp, along with all the Floyd grandchildren and great grandchildren. It was one of the best weeks of the summer to have 18 relatives in one house.

Augie followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the family business, Bering’s Hardware on Westheimer Road, in partnership with father and brother, Norman Bering. Together they opened a second location in 1989 in the West University area of Houston. Today, Bering’s is still a family business, operated by his son, Augie Bering V.

Augie was a humanitarian and a conservationist. He was compassionate, caring, fair, empathetic and loyal. He was invested in his children and was always coaching either a boys sport team or a girls sport team. He never missed a game or performance where his children participated. He was a member of Second Baptist Church, Houston Country Club, The Houstonian Club, Comanche Trace Club in Kerrville, Texas Cattleman’s Association and the Texas Brangus Association. He served on the boards of The Nature Conservancy, Post Oak Bank, Post Oak YMCA, American Cancer Society Victory Shopping Card and on the advisory board for Reliant Energy. He enjoyed being a part of The Executive Breakfast Club, The Gulf Coast Conservation Association and a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where for many years he volunteered with the Junior Program. So that “special kids can shine” he has provided a fund raising night at the Bering’s on Bissonnet for The Rise School, a school for children six months to six years with disabilities. This year will mark the 12th annual Rise event at Bering’s.

One thing Augie really enjoyed was spending time and working on his farm in New Ulm. He and Bonnie were masters at gardening. He raised cattle, stocked fish in the pond and spent many days shredding pastures on his tractor. The farm was a place where Augie would spend quality time with his family and decompress from work. Augie was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, horseback riding, golf, and hunting for arrowheads.

In the last years of his life, Bonnie and Augie built a beautiful home at Comanche Trace Club in Kerrville where they enjoyed playing golf and having friends visit.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Augie is also survived by his little sister Gaile Withers and her husband Ed, and younger brother Norman Bering and his wife Kelly. He was blessed to be called “Uncle Augie” or “Big Augie” by many nieces and nephews.

Augie rose to the challenge of his rare health condition, inspiring his family with faith, strength and courage. He never once complained and believed that each day we have together is a blessing.

The family wishes to express appreciation to the team at St. Luke’s Hospital (Nuro ICU unit 5), including Dr. Christopher Howard, nurses, Emi and Stacy, for their amazing care over the past week and to home-caregiver Leonard Pradia for his enduring spirit. Appreciation also, goes to Dr. Ed Withers for his professional direction and counsel.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until half-past seven o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 1st of November, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

Following a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery, Augie’s life will be celebrated during a memorial service which is to be held at one o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 2nd of November, in the sanctuary of Second Baptist Church; 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, where Rev. John Barksdale and Dr. Gary Moore will officiate.

Serving as honorary pallbearers during the services are Norman Bering, Tim Brown, Jesse Filgo, Ed Junell, Ted Litton, Steven Mafrige, Dick Snell, Bob Speed, Derrick Stipp, John Tomlinson, and Ed Withers.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the nearby Deacons' Parlor.

In lieu of customary remembrances, please consider directing memorial contributions to The Rise School of Houston, 5618 H. Mark Crosswell Jr. St., Houston, TX, 77021; or to the charity of one’s choice.